SWEDEN´s climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg turns down Nordic Council´s environmental award and prize money

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October 30, 2019

The nordic council environment prize 2019

NordenBladet – Greta Thunberg, who became known worldwide for her weekly climate strikes, has decided to decline the Nordic Council’s environmental award and 350,000 Danish kroner (US$52,042) in prize money. The Swedish teen climate change activist rejected the recognition in an Instagram post on Tuesday (29.oct. 2019) because “the climate movement does not need any more awards.”

Thunberg thanked the Nordic Council for the award, but she said she cannot accept it. “What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science,” she wrote in the post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ns7PQpE5C/?utm_source=ig_embed

“I have received the Nordic Council’s environmental award 2019. I have decided to decline this prize. Here’s why: “I am currently traveling through California and therefore not able to be present with you today. I want to thank the Nordic Council for this award. It is a huge honour.”

“But the climate movement does not need any more awards. What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science.”

“The Nordic countries have a great reputation around the world when it comes to climate and environmental issues. There is no lack of bragging about this. There is no lack of beautiful words. But when it comes to our actual emissions and our ecological footprints per capita – if we include our consumption, our imports as well as aviation and shipping – then it’s a whole other story.”

Thunberg also pointed to a report from the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Global Footprint Network, which said Sweden, along with the most of Nordic region, lived as if the world has the resources of four planets. “In Sweden we live as if we had about 4 planets according to WWF and Global Footprint Network. And roughly the same goes for the entire Nordic region.”

“In Norway for instance, the government recently gave a record number of permits to look for new oil and gas. The newly opened oil and natural gas-field, ”Johan Sverdrup” is expected to produce oil and natural gas for 50 years; oil and gas that would generate global CO2 emissions of 1,3 billion tonnes.”

“The gap between what the science says is needed to limit the increase of global temperature rise to below 1,5 or even 2 degrees – and politics that run the Nordic countries is gigantic. And there are still no signs whatsoever of the changes required.”

“The Paris Agreement, which all of the Nordic countries have signed, is based on the aspect of equity, which means that richer countries must lead the way.”

“We belong to the countries that have the possibility to do the most. And yet our countries still basically do nothing. So until you start to act in accordance with what the science says is needed to limit the global temperature rise below 1,5 degrees or even 2 degrees celsius, I – and Fridays For Future in Sweden – choose not to accept the Nordic Councils environmental award nor the prize money of 500 000 Swedish kronor.”

The Nordic Council Awards Ceremony 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. Greta Thunberg won the Nordic Council Environment Prize 2019. Two fellow activists spoke on Thunberg’s behalf at the award ceremony and quoted her as saying: “What we need is for our rulers and politicians to listen to the research. Greta Thunberg is currently in the United States (California).
Photos: 6x NordeBladet/Helena-Reet Ennet (29 October 2019 at the Stockholm Concert Hall)

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Greta Thunberg (16) is a Swedish teenage environmental activist on climate change whose campaigning has gained international recognition.

Thunberg first became known for her activism in August 2018 when, at age 15, she began spending her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on global warming by holding up a sign saying (in Swedish) “School strike for climate”. Soon, other students engaged in similar protests in their own communities. Together, they organised a school climate strike movement under the name Fridays for Future. After Thunberg addressed the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference, student strikes took place every week somewhere in the world. In 2019, there were at least two coordinated multi-city protests involving over one million students each.

Thunberg is known for her blunt, straightforward speaking manner, both in public and to political leaders and assemblies, in which she urges immediate action to address what she describes as the climate crisis. At home, Thunberg convinced her parents to adopt several lifestyle choices to reduce their own carbon footprint, including giving up air travel and not eating meat.

Her sudden rise to world fame has made her a leader and a target. In May 2019, Thunberg was featured on the cover of Time magazine, which named her a “next generation leader” and noted that many see her as a role model. Thunberg and the school strike movement were also featured in a 30-minute Vice documentary titled Make the World Greta Again. Some media have described her impact on the world stage as the “Greta Thunberg effect”. Thunberg has been the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, has been named as one of the 100 most influential people of 2019 by Time magazine. Thunberg was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize which was ultimately awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. In September 2019, she addressed the UN Climate Action Summit in New York.

Greta Thunberg was born on 3 January 2003 in Stockholm, the daughter of opera singer Malena Ernman and actor Svante Thunberg. Her paternal grandfather is actor and director Olof Thunberg.

Thunberg says she first heard about climate change in 2011, when she was 8 years old, and could not understand why so little was being done about it. Three years later she became depressed, lethargic, and stopped talking as well as eating, and eventually was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and selective mutism. While acknowledging that her diagnosis “has limited me before”, she does not view her Asperger’s as an illness and has instead called it her “superpower”.

For about two years, Thunberg challenged her parents to lower the family’s carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment by becoming vegan, upcycling, and giving up flying. She has said she tried showing them graphs and data, but when that didn’t work, she warned her family that they were stealing her future. Giving up flying in part meant her mother had to give up her international career as an opera singer. Thunberg credits her parents’ eventual response and lifestyle changes with giving her hope and belief that she could make a difference. The family story is recounted in the 2018 book Scenes from the Heart.

Swedes use 770 million plastic bags per year: NOW Sweden set to tax plastic carrier bags – here’s how much you’ll have to pay

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 22, 2019

NordenBladet – A new tax on plastic carrier bags could see your Swedish grocery bill increase sharply. In order to get to grips with increasing plastic waste, the government has proposed a new tax which could double the price of standard single-use plastic carrier bags offered at supermarket checkouts.

The bags, which usually cost between two and three kronor in the store, will get slapped with a three-kronor tax according to the proposal – which could bring the customer’s cost to around five kronor ($0.52).

Lightweight transparent plastic bags, which are handed out for free in grocery stores and used to pack fruit and vegetables, for example, will get a 0.30 kronor – or 30 öre – tax.

The tax would be paid by those who import or produce the bags. But according to the proposal, the cost is expected to be passed on to consumers to the tune of 3.1 billion kronor a year, or 310 kronor per person.

However, if the target for reduced use of plastic bags is met, the cost for the individual consumer would instead fall to 175 kronor a year, according to the government proposal, outlined in Swedish here.

Multiple-use bags usually have a greater impact on the environment at the time of production than single-use bags, with cotton bags needing to be reused 130-400 times to compensate, according to the agency. But the proposal still finds that reduced use of plastic bags will be good for the environment and lead to less littering.

Swedish plastic carrier bags are fairly sturdy and are often used as bin bags in households after they’ve served their time, whenever they are not reused for a grocery run or for wrapping a lunch box to take to work.

But Swedes still use 770 million plastic bags measuring 15-50 micrometres in thickness per year – the standard carrier bags you get at the checkout counter in supermarkets or alcohol chain Systembolaget – according to a report by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in 2016.

The proposal is part of Sweden’s cross-bloc budget proposal, worked out by the ruling Social Democrat-Green coalition in collaboration with the Centre and Liberal parties. It has been referred to Sweden’s Council on Legislation for consultation. If it goes ahead it is expected to come into force on May 1st, 2020.

People in Sweden are taking fewer domestic flights

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 22, 2019

NordenBladet – The number of passengers taking domestic flights in Sweden has fallen by eight percent so far this year, but airlines hope they can reverse the trend by working on sustainability. There are several possible reasons behind the reduced number of flyers, including flight tax, rising fuel prices, and increased airport fees.

The ongoing climate debate is also thought to have encouraged some people in Sweden to ditch domestic flights. In September this year, 1,125,000 people took a domestic flight, which was a reduction of five percent compared with the same month last year, new figures from Swedish airport operator Swedavia show. Over 2019 as a whole, domestic flight traffic has fallen by eight percent at Swedavia’s airports.

The same trend has also been observed in the other Scandinavian countries. In Denmark, domestic flights have fallen by seven percent year-on-year and the number of passengers is at a 14-year low according to industry publication Check-in.dk.

But airline SAS bucked the trend in September, seeing an increase in domestic journeys. “During this year we have seen something of a slowdown in demand, but in September there was an increase in comparison with last year. It’s hard to say what this is due to, but we work a lot with sustainability and the chance to buy biofuel, which might affect travellers’ choice of flight,” said SAS Sweden head of press Freja Annamatz.

Airline BRA said it had adapted to consumer desires by regularly reviewing the routes it offers to see which have most passengers and are most profitable. For example, the Jönköping-Stockholm route was recently closed down. At Stockholm’s Bromma airport, where BRA is the only airline offering domestic routes, the total number of passengers fell by two percent in 2018.
BRA Head of communication Jim Hofverberg said there were several reasons for the decline in interest.

“To a certain extent, it’s due tot somewhat more expensive ticket prices, pushed up by increased costs for airlines – more expensive fuel costs, the weak Swedish krona and the government’s new flight tax,” he explained.

Sweden: Nordic Festival Best of Norden celebrates Nordic culture the 28th-29th of October

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 6, 2019

NordenBladet – At the festival Best of Norden, that celebrates Nordic culture and the Nordic Councils Prizes, the nominated films will be screened with english subtitles. A unique chance to see the very best nordic films of today on the big screen.

At the festival Best of Norden we celebrate Nordic culture and the Nordic Council’s Prizes. The five films nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize, as well as five Nordic short documentaries and Cinemateket’s Choice, will be screened with English subtitles at Filmhuset in Stockholm. A unique chance to see the very best Nordic films right now – free admittance!

FILMS
Aurora (Finland), nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize
A White, White Day (Iceland), nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize
Blind Spot (Norway), nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize
Reconstructing Utøya (Sweden), nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize
Queen of Hearts (Denmark), nominated for the Nordic Council’s Film Prize
Five Nordic short documentaries, with Tempo Documentary Festival
We Are the Best!, Cinemateket’s Choice

BEST OF NORDEN takes place the 27-28th of October 2019, at Filmhuset in Stockholm.
Address: Borgvägen 1-5, nearest subway station Karlaplan, bus 76 to bus stop Filmhuset.

More info: bestofnorden.se

A Nobel way to discover Stockholm

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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October 6, 2019

NordenBladet – Between October 7 and 14, the Nobel Prize winners of 2019 will be announced. During this week, you can attend a series of events labeled Nobel Calling Stockholm. The focus will be on the importance of science, literature and peace efforts, and the events will be held at various locations around town.

Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize, take a guided tour of the Stockholm City Hall or put together your own molecule out of yarn.

The Nobel Prize Award Ceremony is held on December 10, 2019. Top scientists, royalties, and politicians gather in Stockholm Concert House to honor this year’s Laureates. In the evening, the Nobel banquet is held in the City Hall.

2019 Nobel Prize announcements:

Join the Nobel Prize Museum and listen to “the magic phone call”, when this year’s Laureates are announced.

Physiology or Medicine – Monday October 7, 11:30 am at the earliest.

Physics – Tuesday October 8, 11:45 am at the earliest.

Chemistry – Wednesday October 9, 11:45 am at the earliest.

Literature – Thursday October 10, 1:00 pm at the earliest.

The Swedish Academy will announce the Nobel Prize in Literature for both 2018 and 2019.

Peace – Friday October 11, 11:00 am.

Economic Sciences – Monday October 14, 11:45 am at the earliest.

For more information go to: The Nobel Prize Museum

Be inspired by ideas that changed the world. The Nobel Museum contains all essential information about the most prestigious prize in the world, Alfred Nobel, and the Nobel Laureates. Guided tours, films, and diverse objects take you from idea to the Nobel Banquet. Bistro serving lunch, Nobel ice cream and more. Shop.

Address: Stortorget, 11129 Stockholm
Phone: +46(0)8-534 818 00
nobelprizemuseum.se

Swedish Tetra Pak billionaire Hans Rausing dies at 93

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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September 2, 2019

NordenBladet – Hans Rausing, the Swedish billionaire who helped build food packaging company Tetra Pak into a global giant, has died aged 93. Son of its founder, Ruben Rausing, he ran the firm from 1950 until 1995 – when he sold his share in the family business to his brother. Mr Rausing was known for his philanthropy in Sweden and the UK.

His family’s fortune, estimated by Forbes at $12bn (£9.8bn), makes them one of the richest living in the UK.

In recent years, Mr Rausing’s family were hit by scandal, after his son was given a suspended prison sentence for failing to report the death of his wife.

Hans Rausing’s father, Ruben, founded Tetra Pak, later Tetra Laval, in Sweden in 1944.

The company is widely praised for revolutionising the global food packing trade.

The original design for its innovative cardboard packaging was a tetrahedron, giving the firm its name, but the company’s fortunes only really took off in the late 1960s under the leadership of Hans and his brother Gad.

Source: NordenBladet.ee

LIST of the Richest Countries in the World: Norway is the second richest in the world

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 13, 2019

NordenBladet – The GDP of Norway ranks as the second largest in the world. Back in 2017, Norway’s GDP registered as 74,571 USD and 2018 by Worls Bank report Norway was the richest.

By looking at the GDP per capita, or gross domestic product per capita, of each country around the globe, it is possible to rank countries based on wealth and then compare them to each other. From there, you can determine which countries are wealthiest and then list the countries in descending order, from richest to poorest. Here is the conclusive list of the top fifty richest countries in the world, starting with the wealthiest country… (The Nordic countries are highlighted in blod letters)

TOP50

1. Luxembourg (GDP per capita: $119,719)
2. Norway (GDP per capita: $86,362)
3. Switzerland (GDP per capita: $83,832)
4. Ireland (GDP per capita: $81,477)
5. Iceland (GDP per capita: $78,181)
6. Qatar (GDP per capita: $65,062)
7. The United States of America (GDP per capita: $64,906)
8. Denmark (GDP per capita: $63,434)
9. Singapore (GDP per capita: $62,690)
10. Australia (GDP per capita: $58,824)
11. Sweden (GDP per capita: $57,945)
12. The Netherlands (GDP per capita: $56,415)
13. Austria (GDP per capita: $54,606)
14. Finland (GDP per capita: $52,320)
15. Germany (GDP per capita: $51,642)
16. Hong Kong (GDP per capita: $50,216)
17. Belgium (GDP per capita: $49,095)
18. Canada (GDP per capita: $48,604)
19. France (GDP per capita: $45,586)
20. The United Kingdom (GDP per capita: $45,491)
21. Japan (GDP per capita: $41,834)
22. The United Arab Emirates (GDP per capita: $38,961)
23. Italy (GDP per capita: $36,061)
24. Korea (GDP per capita: $33,495)
25. Spain (GDP per capita: $33,151)
26. Puerto Rico (GDP per capita: $32,705)
27. Malta (GDP per capita: $32,130)
28. Brunei (GDP per capita: $30,297)
29. Cyprus (GDP per capita: $29,224)
30. Kuwait (GDP per capita: $28,394)
31. Slovenia (GDP per capita: $28,247)
32. Taiwan (GDP per capita: $26,309)
33. Bahrain (GDP per capita: $26,083)
34. The Czech Republic (GDP per capita: $25,468)
35. Portugal (GDP per capita: $24,312)
36. Estonia (GDP per capita: $24,043)
37. Saudi Arabia (GDP per capita: $22,368)
38. Slovakia (GDP per capita: $21,278)
39. Greece (GDP per capita: $21,274)
40. Lithuania (GDP per capita: $20,644)
41. Latvia (GDP per capita: $18,861)
42. Trinidad and Tobago (GDP per capita: $18,018)
43. Uruguay (GDP per capita: $17,772)
44. Oman (GDP per capita: $17,668)
45. Chile (GDP per capita: $16,914)
46. Hungary (GDP per capita: $16,852)
47. Poland (GDP per capita: $16,782)
48. Panama (GDP per capita: $16,576)
49. Croatia (GDP per capita: $15,878)
50. Romania (GDP per capita: $13,229)

Location is a major main player in the overall wealth of a country. Third-world countries in Asia, for example, do not rank very well when GDP is the variable in consideration. If access to certain items and necessities is restricted, then people are already working with a strong disadvantage. Places that are not war-stricken or already burdened with a less-than-ideal economy are not set up to do well in the competition of gross domestic products between countries.

This is why, when looking at the list of the wealthiest countries in the world, you’ll find that places where trade or massive production is a main source of income rank higher on the list. The poorer countries are less involved in global trading, and they are more independent in the sense that their direct involvement in international affairs is lesser than the wealthier countries. This is because money and power are so naturally interwoven, which contributes to the overall wealth and GDP of a country.

Featured image: Vågan, Norway (Pexels/Tobias Bjørkli)

Three-year-old Prince Oscar, Duke of Skåne, visits Skäralid + VIDEO

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 19, 2019

NordenBladet – Three-year-old Prince Oscar of Sweden, Duke of Skåne, visited Skäralid on Monday, 17 June in Skåne’s Söderåsen’s National Park alongside his parents, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

The little royal was able to visit the playground named after him on the occasion of his christening in May 2016. The playground, “Prince Oscar’s NaturePlay (Prins Oscars Naturlek)” has been open to the public since Easter.

It was built by County Administrative Board in Skåne County with the assistance of private individuals, companies and some of the municipalities in the county.

The park has tools, stations and obstacles that include a tunnel, rope balance, swing, stumps and a large slide. Additionally, it includes facilities for educators at Naturum Söderåsen with new educational elements continuing to be added.

The Prince was able to try out some of the amenities as he was seen hopping on the stumps and walking on the rope balance. His mother even took a turn on the rope in her maxi dress and white sneakers.

Prince Oscar and his parents also took a walk on the trail around Skärdammen where they watched ducks and looked at wildlife. Oscar and Crown Princess Victoria were seen running along the path at one point with Prince Daniel trailing behind.

The Royal Court later released a video and photos from the Crown Princess Family’s visit to Skåne.

His Royal Highness Prince Oscar Carl Olof of Sweden was born on 2 March 2016 Karolinska University Hospital as the younger child and only son of the Crown Princess Couple. His names and title, Duke of Skåne, were announced the following day during a cabinet meeting by his grandfather, King Carl XVI Gustaf.

He has an older sister, Princess Estelle (b. 2012).

Photos: Sara Friberg / Kungl. Royal Court
Source: Kungahuset.se

Sweden: Princess Madeleine’s husband Chris O’Neill misses National Day festivities

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 6, 2019

NordenBladet – Christopher O’Neill, the husband of Princess Madeleine of Sweden, has not been able to participate in the National Day* festivities in Sweden today. The father of three was scheduled to attend this year’s celebrations but had to cancel last minute.

Chris O’Neill was supposed to join his wife, Princess Madeleine of Sweden for the National Day festivities at Skansen, central Stockholm this afternoon. After the National Day concert, Chris would also be joining the Royal Family for the reception at the Royal Palace. However, the Swedish Royal Court has taken his name off the calendar.

Princess Madeleine travelled to Sweden earlier this week with her youngest daughter, one-year-old, Princess Adrienne. The Princess was in Sweden to launch her children’s book “Stella och hemligheten”. Meanwhile, her husband would continue to work and leave their home in Florida for Sweden with the other two children, Princess Leonore and Prince Nicolas later in the week.

However, Chris had to cancel his plans to fly with the two oldest children to Sweden. Princess Leonore and Prince Nicolas have fallen ill and are, therefore, not able to fly. Both children have a high fever and an inflammation of the middle ear, the Royal Court has confirmed to Expressen.

Christopher, Princess Leonore and Prince Nicolas will travel to Sweden as soon as the children feel better and can make the long flight. Princess Madeleine and the children will spend most of the summer months in Sweden while Chris O’Neill will alternate between his job in Florida and Sweden.

In the past, Chris O’Neill often was unable to make it to the National Day celebrations due to work commitments. This year he had cleared his agenda for the important event, but sadly his plans had to be cancelled.

The husband of Princess Madeleine is scheduled to join the family for the birthday celebrations of Crown Princess Victoria on the 14th of July in Öland, Sweden.

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* National Day of Sweden (Swedish: Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday observed in Sweden on 6 June every year. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day (Swedish: Svenska flaggans dag). At that time, the day was renamed the Swedish national day by the Riksdag.

The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden.

Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, the Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai.

In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as 6 June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions.

Featured image: Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her husband Chris O’Neill (Bengt Nyman (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons)

Sweden: Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar of Sweden wish everyone a happy National Day!

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

June 6, 2019

NordenBladet – Today festivities all over Sweden are taking place as the country celebrates Nationaldagen or its National Day*. Of course, the Swedish Royal Family is out in full force to join in the celebrations. Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar have already wished everyone a happy National Day with three new photos, as is the tradition.

On the 6th of June, Sweden celebrates its National Day. On this day the Swedes remember the election of King Gustaf Vasa which is considered the moment on which modern Sweden was founded. On this day, the country officially split from Denmark.

This morning, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar sent everyone their National Day greetings as the Royal Court released three new pictures of the children of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. In the photographs, Princess Estelle can be seen wearing Sweden’s National Costume, designed by her grandmother Queen Silvia.

The images were taken in the gardens of Haga Palace, the home of the Crown Princess Family. The Swedish Royal Family established this new tradition of releasing pictures of the children of Crown Princess Victoria on the morning of the National Day after the birth of Estelle.

This morning, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia opened the gates of the Royal Palace of Stockholm to visitors. In honour of National Day, visitors are able to visit the Palace for free. There are different activities for children; there is music, food and an information stand about the World Childhood Foundation. In the information stand of the WCF, the children’s book of Princess Madeleine, “Stella och hemligheten” was sold. The Princess also signed the copies of the book in the late afternoon.

Meanwhile, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia celebrated National Day in Dalarna. The King and Queen first visited Borlänge, where they were shown around in Alice Lund Textiles and met with the people who had gathered to see them. They ended their visit to Dalarna in Ludvika where they officially welcomed new Swedish citizens during a ceremony with music and speeches. Then, the Royal Couple lunched with invited guests.

In the early afternoon, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel stepped out of their home, Haga Palace to join in the festivities in honour of the National Day with their neighbours. In Haga Park, a big, early summer concert was held with participants of the Royal Opera and school children. The Crown Princess Couple also saw a ballet performance, and the Crown Princess gave a speech.

The King and Queen during the National Day celebrations in Dalarna. (Photo: Sara Friberg, Kungl. Hovstaterna)

Later today, the King, Queen, Crown Princess Couple, Prince Couple and Princess Madeleine will attend the traditional National Day Concert in Skansen. They will arrive by horse and carriage, and it is expected that Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar will join their parents in the carriage.

This evening, the King and Queen will host guests for a reception to end the National Day festivities.

2x Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar at Haga Castle (Photo: Linda Broström, Kungl. Hovstaterna)
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* National Day of Sweden (Swedish: Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday observed in Sweden on 6 June every year. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day (Swedish: Svenska flaggans dag). At that time, the day was renamed the Swedish national day by the Riksdag.

The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden.

Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, the Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai.

In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as 6 June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions.

Featured image: Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar (Photo: Linda Broström, Kungl. Hovstaterna)