10 Nov - St Martin's Day (or "Martin Goose")

10 Nov - St Martin's Day (or "Martin Goose"):St Martin of Tours originally took the goose as his personal symbol, because when trying to avoid being ordained bishop he had hidden in a goose pen, where he was betrayed by the cackling of the geese. He celebrates his nameday in November, when the geese are ready for killing. St Martin’s Day was an important medieval autumn feast, and the custom of eating goose spread to Sweden from France. Black soup is served with entrails of various kinds, as well as goose-liver sausage, stewed prunes and potatoes. The goose is stuffed with apples and prunes and roasted slowly while being constantly basted in its own fat. The carcass is then boiled in water, which is thickened into sauce. The custom is particularly popular in Skåne in southern Sweden, where goose farming has long been practised, but it has gradually spread northwards. (source: Sweden.se)

6 Nov - Gustav Adolfsdagen (Gustavus Adolphus Day):

6 Nov - Gustav Adolfsdagen (Gustavus Adolphus Day):

A general flag day in Sweden, celebrated on November 6 in memory of king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (Swedish: Gustav II Adolf), who was killed on this day in 1632 at the Battle of Lützen. This is the day to have a Gustavus Adolphus tart, yum!

All saints day - 5 November 2011

All saints day - November 5, 2011

Not to be mixed up with Halloween. This holiday represents historic traditions in honor of all the saints. The typical custom on All Saints' Day is to visit the graves of loved family members and friends, bringing decorations and candles in remembrance.

Famous actress Sickan Carlsson passed away

One of the most popular Swedish actresses during the last century, Sickan Carlsson, has passed away. Carlsson was born in Stockholm in 1915. She was involved in several Swedish movies; around 50 films altogether. She was also famous for her radio programs.
Received a Honorary Guldbagge, Sweden's equivalent to an Honorary Oscar, at the Guldbaggegala 2005.

Group booking - Anne Sofie von Otter - Fri 18 Nov 2011

As previous mentioned Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter is coming to Wellington Town Hall, to give a concert on Friday the 18 Nov 2011 7:30p.m.

The Sweden-New Zealand Association is looking to arrange a group booking. Please contact Tinni - Phone: (04) 4999895 or email tinni@sweden.org.nz by this Friday if you are keen to join us.

If you already have your tickets booked, but would be keen to meet up prior to the concert, please contact Tinni, as we are hoping to meet up for pre-concert drinks. Pre-Concert drinks will be around 5-ish to make sure we can attend the free pre-concert talk one hour prior to the performance. The venue for pre-concert drinks is not yet decided, please feel free to make suggestions.