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If you’ve read some of my posts about Stockholm, you may surmise that I love Sweden. Love is a strong word, Maybe not love, but I definitely have a crush on Sweden. I have said for years and still maintain that Canada, for me (and millions), is the best country in the world. But if I had to pick a second, I would definitely pick Sweden. In fact, as I have written before, Canada and Sweden, to me, are like sisters (or brothers – is a country female or masculine?) from different Fathers (or Mothers?).
| Beautiful Stockholm © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock |
Modern Sweden’s values, from what I have been able to learn, are so very close to Canada’s. And even though today there are currents of anti-openness in certain circles in Sweden, the country, like Canada believes that diversity and inclusion are the ways to go forward in the 21st Century. In another life, if I had another go at it, I might have been Diego (watch the video). I think he’s a very lucky Mexican to have become a Swedish citizen and I wish him all the success in the world (maybe I should research what his company does if he worked at Spotify at some point – maybe we can collaborate on something – a Mexican Swede and a Mexican Canadian collaborating – sounds great). Maybe we’ll discuss over Fika some day.
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| What does this photo remind you of? Canada, perhaps? Stockholm. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock |
This is mostly a travel blog, of course, but I like to distinguish between tourists and travelers. I like to write for both, but I identify more with travelers. Travelers are interested not only on tourist attractions, but also on the history, culture and people of the places they visit. Understanding and learning about Sweden will enrich your visit – and you must visit. Sweden is a world jewel. Small (9 million people in 450,295 km² – Sweden would fit in Canada more than 20 times!), but with a huge heart and lots of brains.
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| Visit the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. Awesome architecture. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock |
“A new film showcasing how Sweden celebrates its new citizens with coffee and cinnamon rolls, served in the Golden Hall of the Nobel banquet venue, was launched this Monday. It features Swedish symbols, like the national anthem and ’fika’, as well as the personal reflections of Mexico-born Diego on his new home and identity.
Behind the 3 minutes long production is the Swedish Institute (SI), a governmental agency whose mission is to promote the country abroad. Hosted at the Stockholm City Hall – which every December is the venue of the Nobel banquet – the annual ceremony presents yet another opportunity to ’fika’, i.e. to socialise while having coffee and cinnamon buns.
“Never tell a Swede you don’t like cinnamon buns ’cause they’ll go weird”, comments Diego Planas Rego. He moved to Västerås to study before he started working for Spotify and blogs avidly on the Tumblr account ‘An Immigrant in Sweden’.
“We wanted to capture how the country opens one of its most prestigious locations for new Swedes, and salutes them with a ceremony and some classic ‘fika’”, says Johan Sundberg, SI Project Manager who directed the film.
“Actually I was moved ”, says Diego, who has worked for several Swedish start-ups and now runs his own company in Stockholm.
According to Statistics Sweden, 9,9 million people live in the country – nearly the double than 100 years ago. By the end of 2015, nearly 1,7 of those residents were born in another country.”
With information from: Swedish Institute | Svenska institutet
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that promotes interest and confidence in Sweden around the world. SI seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through strategic communication and exchange in the fields of culture, education, science and business.
VisitSwedenSwedish Institute
Source: canadianandworldtourism.com