SWEDEN

8 REASONS why you should go on a road trip in Nordic countries

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – More and more people love to spend their holidays in Scandinavia because there is safe, amazing nature and a lot to do and everybody are obsessed with Scandinavian culture! This year NordenBladet gave out a Finland´s travel guide where you can follow one family trip around Finland. While the term “Scandinavia” is commonly used for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the term “Nordic countries” is used unambiguously for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Iceland, including their associated territories (Svalbard, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Åland Islands).

Travel is glorious in any form. The food, sights, arts, culture, languages, and new friends just make it such an enjoyable experience. These are many reasons why it is good to travel by car. Here are few of them:

1. You can make your own itinerary
Travelling by car is great because of the flexibility – you can travel any time, anywhere. You are on your own schedule, and can make unexpected stops. See a little cafeteria by the side of the road? Stop and while away the afternoon, talking with the owner. You manage your own time. You can move quickly from one place to another. You don’t have to waste your time and wait for a bus, train or flight. No waiting at all!


Photo: Denmark (Pexels/Pixabay)

Car trip around Finland – Ivanka Shoshana and Estella Elisheva in Tornio´s cafeteria (NordenBladet/ Helena-Reet Ennet)

2. It is easy to carry your things
If you are travelling with goods, perhaps your shopping, or suitcase if you are going on a holiday it is easier to transport these in your car rather than using public transport which is not secure and is short of storage space.

3. Miles of scenery
Besides topping the list of the world’s happiest nations list, Nordic countries are also leaders in education, gender equality, cleantech, healthtech, biotech, food sustainability and more. Nordics represent a true knowledge society, the high tech and the charm of bustling cities, well-preserved countryside, summer cottages and castles. The best part of driving through Nordic countries is taking in all of the beautiful scenery. You will be amazed at just how vast and diverse some of the landscapes are. A typical Scandinavian / Nordic road trip involves driving through days’ worth of dense pine forests and sweeping farmlands and more lakes than you could possibly count.




Photos: 3x NordenBladet (Helena-Reet Ennet)

4. Nordic countryside is mystical
Nordics have a deep respect for their history and environment. In some countries, you need to drive for hours to reach roads surrounded by forests, fields and lakes. In Nordic countries, it’s exactly the opposite. Nature is around you everywhere, even in urban areas. Travelling through all of this scenery by car gives you a greater sense of freedom to venture wherever you want. Even getting lost is worthwhile. Traversing the rural roads can turn up some amazing sights, which you otherwise might not have seen, and will help you feel completely off the grid and at peace. If you do want to stay on the beaten path and visit the tourist attractions, travelling by car allows you to see as many as you want in a single trip.


Photo: Pexels (Jonathan Petersson)

5. Meeting the wildlife
While exploring sights and scenery, you will inevitably encounter some of Norden’s amazing wildlife such as birds, deer, and if you’re lucky, moose. It’s best to be wary of moose however, since they can dart from the forest onto the road without warning and cause many car accidents every year. As soon as you cross the Arctic Circle, your chances to meet reindeer on the road increase extensively. When you meet one, you’re very likely to meet the whole family, as reindeer hardly ever walk alone. Reindeer are walking on the road, in no hurry at all, and your best option is to drive behind them until they decide to go back into the woods. So make sure you don’t plan too tight of a schedule for a road trip in Lapland.


Photo: Pexels (Frans Van Heerden)

6. Camp in the country side or stay in some quirky hotels
There are many campsites and places to park a caravan, plus everyman’s rights mean you are free to pitch a tent anywhere (apart from somebody else’s garden).  If camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of hotels up and down the country to stay the night, some of them highly unusual.

7. Bring your bike
A Nordic road trip doesn’t have to be done entirely by car. By hitching a bike onto your car, you can stop off at any of Scandinavia’s thousands of cycling paths to see even more nature inaccessible by road. All of the National Parks and hiking trails have their own car parks and some have campsites. Biking is a healthy choice, integrated into one’s lifestyle, cheap, in touch with the city and absolute fun kind of freedom.

8. Small town charm
Each of the small towns and villages you will pass through on a road trip through Nordic countries have a retro charm, some almost feeling as if they have been paused in time. Most will have amenities such as petrol stations, supermarkets, and kiosks to buy ice cream. You can also find hidden gems you won’t find in guide books, such as old churches and classic wooden buildings. Locals might come across as stand-offish at first, but once you talk to them you will likely find them friendly and helpful.

NordenBladet´s 2 weeks in Finland by car – itinerary:

Helena-Reet: A big trip to Finland coming up next week! Searching for extremeness and ultimate luxury
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69713-helena-reet-a-big-trip-to-finland-coming-up-next-week-searching-for-extremeness-and-ultimate-luxury

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland – DONE! (VOL1: Tallinn-Helsinki-Nurmijärvi-Riihimäki-Hämeenlinna-Tampere) + PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69773-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-done-vol1-tallinn-helsinki-nurmijarvi-riihimaki-hameenlinna-tampere-photos

Helena-Reet: Around Finland on a road trip with children (VOL2: Impressions from Tampere – sightseeings and a lot more) + TRAVEL PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69782-helena-reet-around-finland-on-a-road-trip-with-children-vol2-impressions-from-tampere-sightseeings-and-a-lot-more-travel-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL3: Vaasa – ruins of Korsholm castle, Mannerheim, Airbnb renthouse etc) + PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69820-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol3-vaasa-ruins-of-korsholm-castle-mannerheim-airbnb-renthouse-etc-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL4: Journey from Vöyri near Vaasa and through Kokkola and Kalajoki Oulu and the evening in SPA) + PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69823-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol4-journey-from-voyri-near-vaasa-and-through-kokkola-and-kalajoki-oulu-and-the-evening-in-spa-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL5 – Oulu sightseeings, Kemi, Tornio and the journey through Kolari to Levi) + MANY PHOTOS & INFOLINKS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69828-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol5-oulu-sightseeings-kemi-tornio-and-the-journey-through-kolari-to-levi-many-photos-infolinks

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL6 – Levi Hotel SPA in Sirkka, restaurant Kekäle, magnificent nature, ski slopes, etc) + MANY PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69835-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol6-levi-hotel-spa-in-sirkka-restaurant-kekale-magnificent-nature-ski-slopes-etc-many-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL7 – from Kittilä to Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Holiday Village etc) + TRAVEL PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69909-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol7-from-kittila-to-rovaniemi-santa-claus-holiday-village-etc-travel-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL8 – from Rovaniemi through Ranua, Pudasjärvi and Puolanka to Kajaani) + PHOTOS!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69912-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol8-from-rovaniemi-through-ranua-pudasjarvi-and-puolanka-to-kajaani-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL9 – Central Finland, Kajaani) the sightseeings + travel photos!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69915-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol9-central-finland-kajaani-the-sightseeings-travel-photos

Helena-Reet: With children on a road trip around Finland (VOL 10 – in Central Finland, Kuopio) Sightseeings + Travel photos!
https://nordenbladet.com/articles/69932-helena-reet-with-children-on-a-road-trip-around-finland-vol-10-in-central-finland-kuopio-sightseeings-travel-photos

You might also like these articles:
GoFinland.fi: Your guide for planning a successful road trip in Finland
https://www.gofinland.fi/blog/road-trip-in-finland/

OurLifeOurTravel.com: Finland Road Trip Itinerary – Things to See in Finland in 2 Weeks
https://ourlifeourtravel.com/finland-road-trip-itinerary-2-weeks/

VisitFinland.com: Tour Finland by Car
https://www.visitfinland.com/article/tour-finland-by-car/

AutoEurope.com: Top Destinations to Visit in Finland
https://www.autoeurope.com/road-trip-planner/scandinavia/places-to-visit-in-finland/

TheRoadTripGuy.com: Finland Road Trip Itinerary – Santa Clause, Reindeer, Sauna & Mosquitos!
https://theroadtripguy.com/finland-road-trip/

LiveNowDreamLater.net: Coastal Road Trip Through Finland: The Highlights From South To North And Back!
https://www.livenowdreamlater.net/en/2016/08/08/coastal-road-trip-finland/

 

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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden comments on Baby Sussex

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden are currently on a three-day visit to Vietnam. Day one, 6 May was spent in Hanoi. It was there that Crown Princess Victoria was told of the British royal baby news by Swedish news magazine Svenskdam. The Crown Princess and her husband, Prince Daniel decided to go on a walk through the Vietnamese capital when the magazine caught up with them.

When told that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had a son, Crown Princess Victoria said exclusively to Svensdam, “No, they have? Oh, how fun!”

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are the parents of two: Princess Estelle, 7, and Prince Oscar, 3.

Their trip to Vietnam is to highlight 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Vietnam, as well as promote Swedish businesses during a Sweden-Vietnam Business Summit. They will also highlight the UN Sustainability Goals for Agenda 2030; Crown Princess Victoria is an Advocate for the Sustainability Goals.

Victoria and Daniel’s first day in Asia consisted of a guided tour of Hotel Metropole, met prominent Vietnamese women over lunch, attended an official lunch with the Vice President of Vietnam, visited the upper secondary school Thuc Nghiem, and attended an evening welcome dinner hosted by the Vietnamese government.

Crown Princess Victoria isn’t the only foreign royal to comment on the new royal baby. Princess Tessy of Luxembourg posted messages on her Twitter and Instagram yesterday.

“Congratulations dear Harry and Meghan on the arrival of your new baby boy. Gabriel, Noah and I wish the three of you – now a little family – only the best, much happiness and good health. ?❤️ This is extremely exciting, and we can not wait to meet the little man in due course,” she said on Instagram.

Featured image: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (Erika Gerdemark/Kungahuset.se)

Sweden: Crown Princess Victoria opens Baltic Sea Science Center

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – Yesterday Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden opened the Baltic Sea Science Centre in Stockholm’s Skansen Museum where she was welcomed by Anna Björn, Head of Unit at Skansen’s Zoological Department and the Baltic Sea Science Center.

The day began with a tour starting in the brewery aquarium, the pike aquarium, the predatory aquarium, the cylinder aquarium and the habitat aquariums.

Next on the agenda was the exhibit “Land og hav” which shows the dependence of man and sea on one another.

Her tour concluded in a lab where she spoke to high school students about what they had learned during their visit to the new centre.

Her Royal Highness then participated in the opening ceremony on the terrace where she said, “This knowledge centre is about the Baltic Sea; about life under the surface of our unique inland sea. But basically, it is just as much about ourselves: about our history, our future and our responsibility for an environment that we are completely dependent on. Just as we are dependent on the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Sea is dependent on us.”

She added that “the Baltic Sea Science Center can play an important role: helping us understand the unique environment that the Baltic Sea is. But also to show, concrete, what we can do to be afraid of it.”

The Crown Princess then opened the doors of the centre with Björn Carlsson.

The Baltic Sea Center contains laboratories, aquariums, exhibit areas, and classrooms.

The museum has said about the centre on their website, “The exhibitions will be created by a special knowledge council consisting of representatives from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stockholm University, the BalticSea2020 Foundation and Skansen.”

Children under the age of three get in free, and they are open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Featured image: Kungl. Royal Court/Sara Friberg

King and Queen of Sweden to make State Visit to Ireland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – It has been announced from Stockholm that the Swedish King and Queen will pay a State Visit to Ireland next month at the invitation of the Irish President, Michael D Higgins.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will be joined by representatives of the Swedish government including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallström, Minister for Energy and Digital Development Anders Ygeman. Alongside the official talks, there will also be meetings between Irish businesses and a delegation organised by Business Sweden.

The visit, which is scheduled to take place between the 22nd and 24th May, is intended to strengthen the already strong ties between the two countries with a series of seminars, bilateral talks and cultural events. The agenda for the visit has not be released as yet, but it is envisaged it will cover digital development, sustainability, health and literature as well as increased cooperation through both the EU, UN and NATO.

This will not be the first time the King and Queen of Sweden have visited the Republic of Ireland. In April 1992 they were invited to Dublin by the then President Mary Robinson. There have also been Irish visits to Sweden. In 2012, the then Minister for Small Business, John Perry, TD, led a delegation from Enterprise Ireland to Stockholm at an event organised by the Irish Embassy. He spoke not only of the success of some Irish companies in exporting to Sweden, but also the strong links that had been established between Irish companies and successful Swedish companies including as Ericsson, Volvo and IKEA.

Once the itinerary of this new State Visit has been released, the information will be on Royal Central as with many of the State Visits that are being planned across the globe. And we will, of course, bring you the latest news when Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia arrive in Ireland in May.

Featured image: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf; H.M. Queen Silvia (Kungahuset.se/Peter Knutson)

Sweden: Illness forces Prince Daniel to cancel events

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The Royal Court confirmed to Swedish media late Wednesday evening that Prince Daniel is sick and has to cancel several events. On Tuesday, Prince Daniel attended his annual entrepreneurial day, and he seemed in good health. On Wednesday, Prince Daniel should have been present at the organisation, Friends’ event against bullying at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm; however, he had to cancel at the last minute.

The meeting Prince Daniel was to attend on Wednesday, with sixty representatives from business and civil society, was to discuss issues about measures and preventive measures against bullying.

The Swedish Royal Court has confirmed to the Swedish newspaper, Expressen that the Prince is sick. “The Prince had to cancel because of illness”, said Ulrika Näsholm, Information Secretary for the Royal Court, to the Swedish newspaper. Ulrika Näsholm also said: “The Prince could not participate in this arrangement unfortunately”.

The Royal Court indirectly confirmed that the sickness is not serious and that no other events are expected to be impacted by the Prince’s illness. The Swedish media did ask if there were any events in the coming days that are threatened. The Royal Court replied: “Not what I know, but it was today (Wednesday) he had to cancel his presence at this event. Unfortunately, I have no information, but the Prince had to cancel because of illness”.

The next event planned for Prince Daniel is, according to the Royal Court’s calendar, a visit to the Football Association in Solna on 24 April.

Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland is a Swedish prince and member of the Swedish Royal Family. He is the husband of Crown Princess Victoria.

Featured image: The Royal Court, Sweden /Erika Gerdemark

Head of Information of the Royal Court, Margareta Thorgren to Expressen.se: No official celebrations planned for Prince Carl Philip’s 40th birthday

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – When Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria turned 40 in July 2017, it was marked with official festivities across Stockholm. But her brother, Prince Carl Philip, will be marking the occasion in a more low-key manner.

“There will be no official celebration of Prince Carl’s 40th birthday,” said Head of Information of the Royal Court, Margareta Thorgren, to Expressen.se, adding that the prince has chosen to celebrate his birthday privately.

Carl Philip was actually born as the country’s Crown Prince, but the laws of succession were changed on 1 January 1980. Then, Sweden officially recognised absolute primogeniture, meaning first-born females could now be heirs. This bumped the seven-month-old prince down the line and made his older sister, Victoria, heir to the Swedish throne.

As such, Crown Princess Victoria celebrated her milestone birthday in style with public celebrations and even her own hashtag: #Kronprinsessan40. The two-day birthday festivities included a service of thanksgiving attended by the Royal Court and government officials, a special reception, a 21-gun salute, carriage procession, and a concert.

When Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria turned 40 in July 2017, it was marked with official festivities across Stockholm. But her brother, Prince Carl Philip, will be marking the occasion in a more low-key manner.

“There will be no official celebration of Prince Carl’s 40th birthday,” said Head of Information of the Royal Court, Margareta Thorgren, to Expressen, adding that the prince has chosen to celebrate his birthday privately.

Carl Philip was actually born as the country’s Crown Prince, but the laws of succession were changed on 1 January 1980. Then, Sweden officially recognised absolute primogeniture, meaning first-born females could now be heirs. This bumped the seven-month-old prince down the line and made his older sister, Victoria, heir to the Swedish throne.

As such, Crown Princess Victoria celebrated her milestone birthday in style with public celebrations and even her own hashtag: #Kronprinsessan40. The two-day birthday festivities included a service of thanksgiving attended by the Royal Court and government officials, a special reception, a 21-gun salute, carriage procession, and a concert.

Since Prince Carl Philip is not the heir, this level of public celebration doesn’t exactly make sense, but surely well wishes for the Prince will pour in on social media as they did for Crown Princess Victoria.

“I think you can expect a party for friends and family of course, but much more toned than when Victoria turned 40 years,” said Swedish newspaper Expressen‘s royal columnist Karin Lennmor. “If you compare with the Crown Princess Victoria where it really was a big hit, Prince Carl Philip’s birthday will be a bit calmer.”

It might depend on your definition of “calmer.” According to weekly women’s magazine Svensk Damtidning, he ended his 25th birthday party with a trip to A&E when he slid down the staircase of Tullgarn Palace on a silver tray. One can only hope the Prince continues the merriment into his fourth decade.

Featured image: Sweden´s Prince Carl Philip with wife Princess Sofia (NordenBladet)
Source: royalcentral.co.uk

ROYALS, who hold the lucky number seven position in a line of succession

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – When Baby Sussex is born in a few weeks time, he or she will be seventh in line to the British throne. They are not the only royals to hold the lucky number seven position in a line of succession. Let’s take a look at Baby Sussex’s counterparts in their lines of succession.

Belgium:
Archduchess Anna Astrid, 2 – Anna Astrid is the only child of Prince Amedeo and Princess Elisabetta. She is the great-niece of King Philippe and great-granddaughter of former King Albert II.

Denmark:
Prince Nikolai, 19 – His Highness is the eldest child of Prince Joachim of Denmark from his first marriage to Countess Alexandra. His grandmother is Queen Margrethe, and his uncle, Crown Prince Frederik will one day ascend the throne. Nikolai works as a model.

Liechtenstein:
Prince Constantin, 47 – He is the third child of Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie and a younger brother to The Prince Regent of Liechtenstein, Alois. He serves as the CEO of Foundation Prince Liechtenstein.

Luxembourg:
Prince Guillaume, 55 – Guillaume is the third son and youngest child of Grand Duke Jean and his late wife, Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte. As such, his older brother, Henri, now sits on the throne as the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Monaco:
India Casiraghi, 3 (will turn 4 on 12 April) – India was born as the second child of Andrea Casiraghi and his wife, Tatiana Santo Domingo. She is the great niece of the Prince of Monaco, Albert II.

The Netherlands:
Countess Leonore, 12 – Leonore is the youngest of three children born to Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands. Her uncle is King Willem-Alexander, and her grandmother was the former Queen Beatrix (now Princess Beatrix).

Norway:
Emma Behn, 10 – Although she holds no title, Emma is a granddaughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. Her parents are Princess Märtha Louise and her ex-husband, Ari Behn. Emma is the youngest child of the Princess and youngest grandchild of the King and Queen.

Spain:
Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón, 19 – Juan is the eldest child of scandal-ridden Infanta Cristina (the daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía) and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín. His uncle is King Felipe VI.

Sweden:
Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland, 36 – Madeleine is the youngest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Her older sister is Crown Princess Victoria, and her older brother is Prince Carl Philip. She ranks behind her siblings and their children in the line of succession.

Non-Europe:
If we looked outside of Europe, in Japan, where there will soon be a new emperor, there is no number seven in the line of succession. As of writing this article, there are only four in the line of succession. When Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the throne on 1 May, the number will drop to three in the line of succession.

Featured image: Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland (NordenBladet)
Source: Ohmygossip.com

 

Sweden: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attended the launch of the Pep Report

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel attended the launch of the Pep Report on Wednesday in Stockholm, which saw the results of a survey of 11,000 young people in Sweden – questioning their physical activity and approach to health – published.

“Generation Pep works to ensure that all children and young people in Sweden have the opportunity and the desire to live an active and healthy life,” according to its official website.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel founded Generation Pep in July 2016 as a way to encourage a healthier lifestyle in Sweden’s young people and have since championed its initiatives.

The report compiles the results of 11,000 children surveyed between the ages of four to 17-years-old, along with their guardians to see “how the children move, what they eat and how factors around it are connected with living habits.”

The major findings of the Pep Report are as follows:

  • A larger proportion of respondents said they do 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
  • Most respondents participate in organised physical activity, but it’s dependent on socioeconomic factors and participation drops off after the children turn ten.
  • Children know they should eat well, but few are doing so. “Only four out of ten children have indicated that they eat vegetables every day and two-thirds say they usually or almost always eat white bread.”
  • The majority of respondents say that they spend three or more hours each day sitting in front of a screen outside class time.
  • Only four out of ten young people say that they participate in physical activity outside of school, but it varies greatly by age group.
  • Young people need adult role models to emulate healthy behaviour. “Children of active parents move more themselves, and children who eat dinner with adults receive more vegetables and fish.”

The Pep Report finds that:

“Children and young people in Sweden today move too little and often eat too little… Because there are so few children and young people who meet the recommendations when it comes to food and physical activity, the problems are not something that only concerns a particular group in society, but they are relevant to all of us. At the same time, we see that children who grow up under different socio-economic conditions have different opportunities to be physically active and eat healthily and in the adult population this is reflected in differences in the incidence of several serious diseases and in life expectancy.”

As for a way to move forward, Generation Pep writes that:

“The challenges are too big not to be taken seriously…but the development can be reversed. To succeed, we believe that the required direction and clear level of ambition from the national level, supported by the UN global goal. Several countries have adopted clear national frameworks and strategies, but those clear common guidelines are still lacking in Sweden. Many studies have made to investigate what are effective efforts to promote healthy behaviours and there are evidence-based measures to use within maternity care, child health care, preschool, school, association life, business and industry through political instruments. With clear coordination and prioritization of the issue, we have good hope of seeing a positive development in the coming years’ reports.”

Featured image: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (NordenBladet)

The King and Queen of Sweden attend the World Ski Championships in Seefeld

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – On 22-26 February, The King and Queen visited Seefeld in Austria to watch the Swedish team compete in the Nordic World Ski Championships.

The Nordic World Ski Championships are arranged every other year, and include the ski jumping, cross-country skiing and Nordic combined events.

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FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019

The 41st FIS Nordic World Ski Championships were held from 20 February to 3 March 2019 in Seefeld in Tirol, Tyrol, Austria. It was the second time Seefeld in Tirol hosted the world championships, the event having been hosted there previously in 1985.

Host selection

Championships was awarded to Seefeld in Tirol in Tyrol in Austria during the FIS Congress from 1–6 June 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.

Finalist applicants were Seefeld in Tirol (Austria), Oberstdorf (Germany), Planica (Slovenia) and Almaty (Kazakhstan). Oberstdorf had already applied for 2013, 2015 and 2017, Planica for 2017. Seefeld submitted its candidacy shortly before the deadline.

The Austrian winter sports resort had hosted the Championships in 1985, the German resort of Oberstdorf in 1987 and 2005.

Detailed application concepts were to be submitted by 1 September 2013.

Venues

The cross-country skiing events took place at the Seefeld Nordic Competence Centre. The ski jumping large hill events were held in the Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck. The Bergisel Ski Jump is a large ski jumping hill with a hill size of 130 and a construction point (K-spot) of 120. It has a spectator capacity of 26,000. The current structure dates from 2003. The normal hill competitions were held in the Toni-Seelos-Olympiaschanze normal hill with a hill size of 109 and a K-point of 99.

Medal ceremonies were held at the Medal Plaza, a square in the town center.

The Sweden´s Crown Princess Couple visit Fryshuset

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – On Thursday 21 February, The Crown Princess Couple visited Fryshuset for an update on the centre’s activities.

Fryshuset is a politically and religiously independent voluntary international organisation. Fryshuset gives young people the opportunity to take part in their passions, and to create and participate in youth-driven activities, training and work.

On arrival, The Crown Princess Couple were welcomed by CEO Johan Oljequist, Manager of Fryshuset in Stockholm Anja Frey and Senior Consultant Martin Dworén. In the foyer of Fryshuset, The Crown Princess Couple watched a dance display by school pupils and spoke to some of the young people.

During their visit, The Crown Princess Couple learnt more about Fryshuset’s work with young people in vulnerable areas and a project whereby the organisation helps people who want to end a criminal lifestyle.

They also learnt about the new ungdomar.se and We Change projects, as well as Fryshuset’s international work with Peace Leaders.

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