Director’s Blog: Spring

Blue skies, crystal clear air, a huge sun shining: it was a beautiful morning walk to the university. At Stallmästargården (a old 18th Century Inn) I noticed a group of people lined up, leaning against a wall, facing the sky. Seeing them enjoying the warm temperatures, reminded me of some of the many things people comment on what a Swede is. Sometimes I have no problem in understanding the cultural constructions we are carrying – other times I simply don’t recognize those peculiar images.

The love for nature is a frequent image of Swedes. Certainly there are many explanations to be found. One might simply be the sharp contrast between the four seasons; the drastic changes in temperatures and light/darkness. You have to be alert to follow these swifts in order to get adjusted. Nature is also close, even in the cities. Water, parks, natural parks, forests and lakes for instance surround Stockholm. You might even go fishing t in the middle of the city!

This love for nature does at times take extreme turns. Like the Vikingarännet (Viking Skate Race) and the Vasa Ski Race, two real challenges for enthusiasts. The Vikingarännet runs from Uppsala to Stockholm along an old viking route in the end of February (if the ice holds) and the Vasaloppet, which always takes place the first Sunday in March. Vasaloppet is a legendary ski race that starts in Sälen and ends in Mora. More than ten thousands of skiers fight to either win or just win for personal reasons – to make it, and do it as fast as possible.

Gustav Eriksson Vasa came to Dalarna in 1520 from Lübeck, Germany to where he had fled to from being held POW by the Danes. Kristian II, the Danish king ruled. Kristian goes under the name Tyrant by the Swedes, not the least after the famous Stockholm bloodbath, when among others Gustav’s dad and brother in law were executed. Gustav knew many in Dalarna were against Kristian and hoped to gather a large group of rebels to fight the King of Denmark. It was not easy of course. According to the legend one part of his adventures was skiing from Mora to Sälen, a distance of 90 kilometers.

There is a town named Mora in the US as well, in Minnesota. If you don’t want to go all the way to Mora Sweden you can run the alternative race next year, in the US!

Last week we celebrated the Waffle Day; yet another Swedish tradition, with quite a strange story. Why do Swedes eat Waffle every year on the 25th of March? Well, the 25th of March is Annunciation, in Swedish Vårfrudagen (Our Lady’s Day). Nonetheless, “vårfrudagen” is not that easy to pronounce properly, so it ended up in a distortion: Wafel Day.

There are many traditions in Sweden still kept in shape. A very popular tradition is the celebration of Walpurgis Night. For students it is a special night of celebration. This spring festival is really big in old university cities, such as Lund and Uppsala. As Uppsala is closer than Lund, it is easy to go and participate. A traditional “Sista April” (Last day of April) starts early in the morning with Champagne breakfast, followed by a raft along river Fyrisån, through the center of Uppsala. The “vessels” are home-made, one more crazy than the other. At 3 pm sharp, the official greeting of the spring takes place at the main university building Carolina Rediviva. Rector Magnificus (the president of the of Uppsala university) stands on the balcony and lifts his white student cap, and so does everybody. Shortly thereafter the tradition of singing songs of spring begins, also to celebrate the arrival of spring. Later in the evening the bonfires will be lit and shred light and warmth. Something to look forward to!

Cecilia Olsson
Director