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Shrovetide in olden times

Published 1 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Semlor, or Shrovetide buns, a tradition that is still alive in Sweden.

Tomorrow, Sunday, marks the beginning of Shrovetide (Fastlagen) followed in the week by Fat Tuesday (Fettisdagen).

In the old days, there were stories about Shrovetide and the celebrations on those days. “In olden times, Lent was celebrated for several days in a row” and people “drank day and night” before Lent. The festivities, unlike Lent itself, were not a church celebration but a “tolerated collection of antics”.

Today, Shrovetide buns, or semlor in Swedish, remain a strong tradition in Swedish society.

On the eve of the first day of Lent, it is traditional to practice the old Shrovetide customs, which hardly exist today. Fat Tuesday, or White Tuesday, is the last of the three days of Lent and traditionally falls on the Tuesday 47 days before Easter. This means it can occur between February 3 and March 9. It is preceded by “Pork Saturday” and “Pork Sunday”, followed by “Blue Monday”.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. In Catholic churches, the priest traditionally draws a cross on the forehead of the faithful – a way of reminding them of their own mortality, but also of the resurrection.

Churchgoers in Strasbourg receive “ash crosses” on their foreheads. Photo: Claude Truong-Ngoc/CC BY-SA 3.0

Festivities

The Swedish word for Lent, fasta, comes from the German “fastelabend” or “fastelanen. Although Lent is a Christian doctrine, Lent as a celebration does not have an exclusively “ecclesiastical core”. In the past, the celebration around it was a kind of “tolerated collection of antics to compensate for all the merriment that was not allowed to be breathed during Lent”.

“In olden times, Shrovetide was celebrated several days in a row” and could last a week. People would play “Tuesday games”, and Lenten reeds, which was common in the past, refers to “whipping” each other with reeds, which is why we have Easter reeds today. It is supposed to be a symbolic reminder of Jesus’ suffering and to provide penance, which is said to trace “back to pagan Roman times”.

But it was the “fasting races” that gave it its character, it is said. People dressed up in masks, men in women’s costumes and women in men’s costumes, would run through the streets and engage in “all sorts of antics and madness”. There were also races between men and women, with the women running only in ‘bare linen’, which is said to have been common at least in Skåne in the mid-18th century. However, this was considered somewhat indecent and laws were later introduced to restrict the practice.

Predicting the weather

In the pre-industrial farming society, the three days of Shrovetide were considered by many to be good days for predicting the weather. For example, long icicles on the night of Shrove Tuesday were a good sign that straw and flax would grow long. If the day of Lent was clear and sunny, there would be a good grain harvest. If, on the other hand, it thawed with a drops of water falling off the roofs’ edges on Fat Tuesday, the cows would milk well during the summer and the grain would be as big as the water droplets.

Fastlagsbullarna still lives on

Today, the Shrovetide buns, fastlagsbullar or semlor in Swedish, is a tradition that remains strong in Swedish society. In 2022, for example, around six million buns were sold on Fat Tuesday, and it is said that over 50% of Swedes eat a bun on that day.

They are also known as “fettisdagsbullar” (Fat Tuesday buns) and have their ancestors in “hetvägg”, which refers to hot, cooked wheat buns. The word “hetvägg” comes from the German “heisse wecke” meaning hot rolls. Later, semla was served in hot milk.

It was not only eaten as a fasting bread, but also after a large and fatty meal. In Dalarna, for example, “root vegetables and potatoes and meat and pork were eaten”, according to the records of the Nordic Museum. On Öland, Gotland and in Småland, ‘kroppkakor’ with meat and pork inside were eaten instead. In Uppland, Södermanland and Värmland, people ate fettisdagskött, which was boiled pig’s feet.

The word semla comes from the German “semel” and the Latin “simila”, which means fine wheat flour. The semla we eat today, with almond paste, cream and icing sugar, has been around since the 20th century. Variations of semla are also eaten in Finland, Norway, Denmark and Germany.

Rules about semlor

When King Adolf Fredrik died on Shrove Tuesday, February 12, 1771, it was believed that he died from eating too many “hetvägg”. The poet Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna suggested that Fat Tuesday should be banned and “hetvägg should be banished from Sweden for having committed regicide”, according to the Nordic Museum.

However, other accounts claim that hetvägg was only one of many dishes the king consumed that day, and that he also ate turnips, sauerkraut, lobster, caviar, meat, and drank a lot of champagne before suffering stomach cramps and dizziness.

It is said that Adolf Fredrik ate himself to death on semlor. Painting: Antoine Pesne

Until the early 1960s, semlor could only be served on Tuesdays in cafes and pastry shops. It is believed that these laws were introduced in the 20th century because of the shortage of cream and sugar in the post-war period.

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Record number of Swedes read books last year

Published today 7:21
– By Editorial Staff
Two thirds of Swedes read or listened to a book at least once a week last year.

In 2024, a record number of Swedes read or listened to books, a new survey shows. This is the highest level measured so far in the 21st century.

More than half, 51 percent, of Swedes between the ages of nine and 87 read or listened to a book on a typical day, according to the 2024 Media Barometer from Nordicom at the University of Gothenburg. A full 66 percent read weekly.

– This is the highest figure we have seen in the Media Barometer since the measurements started in the late 1970s, says Jonas Ohlsson, media researcher and director at Nordicom in a press release.

The printed book is still the most common format, with 38% using it daily. In comparison, audiobooks reach 15 percent and e-books only seven percent.

In terms of books sold last year, print books also remained at the top of the list, although sales declined. Audio books are also becoming more common to buy and listen to.

Older, highly educated women read the most

The Swedes who read the most, especially printed books, are highly educated women over 65. At the same time, reading is weakest among men without a university education. As a rule, women read more than men, but the gaps are not as great when it comes to listening to audio books.

– These patterns are not the same for audiobooks, however. The possibility to listen to books seems to lower the threshold to literature, which means that the audiobook reduces the socio-economic gaps that we see in traditional book reading, says Ohlsson.

The survey was conducted on 6000 randomly selected people aged nine to 85.

Swedish criminologist fired after linking genetics and ethnicity to crime on state TV

organized crime

Published 2 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Leif GW Persson in a discussion with the Liberals' Johan Pehrson.

Recently, Swedish criminologist Leif GW Persson stated that there is a very clear link between genetics, ethnic factors, and crime – a link that researchers and authorities have deliberately silenced.

Now he is suddenly being forced to leave the state television program Veckan – which is also being shut down completely without further explanation.

In an episode of SVT’s Veckan med Camilla och Leif GW (The Week with Camilla and Leif GW) just over a month ago, Persson caused quite a stir when he presented a not entirely politically correct explanation for the spiraling crime rate in Sweden – factors that the authorities choose to ignore completely.

– There is one factor that has been studiously avoided, or rather two. One is the genetic link, which is actually stronger than the social links. So what about genetics if you trace this young criminal back through his family?

– That’s one thing. The other is the ethnic factor. They have avoided that, he continued, describing the link between ethnicity and crime as “very strong when it comes to serious organized crime in marginalized suburbs”.

According to Persson, these explanatory models are something “people don’t like to talk about” – and he argued that researchers are well aware of the importance of genetics and ethnicity, but that they have avoided focusing on these factors for purely political reasons.

– Criminological research can, with some justification, be accused of not really aiming at the target. The reason for this is not because people have been unaware, but because they want to avoid anything that could cause problems for them.

“At any cost, I had to be here”

The criminologist also expressed harsh criticism of politicians and other people in power, saying that they have failed completely in building a functioning police organization, among other things.

The TV personality’s comments caused an uproar among left-wing activists and liberals on social media, and he has now been fired from the tax-funded channel.

– It came as a surprise when SVT called and said they were cancelling the program. I have a clear idea of why that is, he told Bonnier-owned Amelia.

– I was actually a bit surprised because they were very eager to get me here. And that was just about a year ago. At any cost, I had to be here. Then it turned out that it was basically just to do 20 programs, Persson continues.

He does not want to confirm at this time that it was his comments about ethnicity, genetics, and crime that led to his dismissal, but he promises to comment further on the matter at a later date.

“That’s for SVT’s managers to answer”

Persson also points out that the program had good ratings, was inexpensive to produce, and received positive feedback, but that SVT’s managers nevertheless chose to cancel it. Program host Camilla Kvartoft also declined to comment on why the program was suddenly canceled.

– That’s for SVT’s managers to answer, but we’ve had two really great seasons with very high viewership, and I’m proud of our programs, she says.

Sofia Dahlström, who is the “acting commissioner for society, documentaries, and minorities” at SVT, states that it was decided from the beginning that there would only be two seasons – something Leif GW Persson does not recognize.

Sweden’s Bohus Fortress gets digital twin for preservation

Published 13 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff

Using drones and laser scanning, a detailed digital replica of Bohus Fortress has been created. The aim is to facilitate maintenance, increase accessibility – and preserve an exact replica for future generations.

Founded in 1308 on the Göta River, Bohus Fortress has been besieged by Norwegians, Danes and Swedes throughout history – but never conquered in battle. Today it is a ruin and designated one of the seven wonders of Västra Götaland and a state building monument, which means that the state is responsible for its preservation.

To improve maintenance and accessibility, the castle architect Allan Ahlman was hired. However, the task proved challenging, with over 26,000 square meters of stone surfaces and walls stretching 22 meters into the air.

– The work was quite cumbersome and time-inefficient, while at the same time it was difficult to get an idea of the longer-term maintenance needs. To some extent, we were forced to react to things rather than prevent them. If something fell down or broke, I had to go through my albums and look for pictures to restore it, he says in a press release.

The solution was to work with Swescan to create a digital twin of the fortress. In 2022, an extensive laser scan was carried out using drones and wearable technology. The result was an interactive model in a digital portal, where users can explore the fortress in detail – from overview maps to high-resolution images, elevation data and measurements.

Digital replica to facilitate inspection

The portal not only provides an accurate picture of the current situation, but also makes it possible to plan maintenance, produce drawings and inspect hard-to-reach areas, such as the old dungeon.

– The fortress becomes very accessible in this way. Anyone with user credentials can use the portal to walk around the area and study the environment, even in hard-to-reach places like the old dungeon. In the future, it could become part of the tourist experience. There are many benefits, and we have discovered more uses than we first expected.

The digital copy is also kept as a souvenir for posterity in case the fortress suffers major damage. For example, when Notre-Dame burned down, the French cathedral was restored with the help of laser scanning in 2010.

– This is a reassurance and a reason to scan more cultural monuments. One day it may be the greatest value of the digital copy, but until then we can use it for many other things, says Ahlman.

Mike offers a unique glimpse into everyday life in China

The modern China

Published 24 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Mike at a stop on the highway between Jiayuguan in Gansu province in northwest China to Beijing, a journey that is over 2000 kilometers long.

Is it dangerous to travel in China? Is it forbidden to move freely, take photos and investigate what life is really like? Have international geopolitics and propaganda in our media at home in the Western bloc affected our view of the populous country to the east? British video blogger Mike Okay, 28, is hitchhiking 2,000km across the country to investigate, document and hopefully get answers to his questions.

Mike Okay is embarking on an audacious 2,000km journey across China, with the ambition of challenging conventional wisdom about the country. With a daily target of 500 km, he plans to reach Beijing in just four days – a plan marked by both courage and a sense of adventure. The journey begins with him presenting a small piece of paper, written in Chinese, which clearly explains the purpose of his journey. As he puts it:

– I have this piece of paper in Chinese. It basically says: who I am and what I’m trying to do, and it’s really fucking helpful.

The journey quickly picks up speed as he gets his first ride within the first few minutes. Although the drivers are traveling at high speeds and at some risk, he is met with unexpected hospitality they happily share eggs and a red Chinese soda, which Mike says may even be illegal in the UK. As he makes his way through the changing itineraries, with drivers altering their route to drop him off closer to Beijing, he is sometimes forced to walk along the side of the highway a risky but necessary part of the adventure.

Along the way, he encounters everything from mysterious tombs with ancient stone patterns to encounters with the local police. In one incident where he is asked to disembark at a service facility, he is met with unexpected kindness: the police offer him lunch and directions. This unexpected humanity is a recurring theme throughout the journey and contrasts strongly with the otherwise cold and unpredictable landscape.

Spending the night in a wind turbine factory

One night, Mike finds himself in an uncomfortable situation when, after being misdirected, he is forced to spend the night in an abandoned wind turbine factory. Despite the eeriness of the place, he finds a gas station nearby, where he buys beer and snacks to keep his spirits up until morning. As he travels through China’s varied landscapes from deserts to lush green areas the language barriers also become apparent. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations marked several encounters with local drivers, where he sometimes had to wait a long time for the next ride or even take a taxi out of the city center.

In one of the most memorable encounters of the trip, he bonds with Mr. Chen, a British-speaking truck driver who soon becomes an unexpected friend. Mike describes how meeting Mr. Chen opens up a new dimension of the trip one where the helpfulness and genuine friendliness of everyday people takes centre stage. He notes:

– His name is Mr. Chen, which I feel bad about because he said, ‘I’ve been driving with you for ten hours and you don’t even know my name’.

The journey ends with Mr. Chen, after helping him through both linguistic mishaps and unexpected detours, taking him towards Beijing where Mike plans to end the adventure with a train ride into the city. Despite all the challenges from dangerous highways to feeling isolated Mike highlights how meeting ordinary people, from customs officers to friendly police officers, revives his faith in humanity.

With a mixture of laughter, frustration and wonder, Mike Okay gives us a unique insight into everyday China far from the touristy facade and with a humane side rarely seen in the Western bloc’s establishment media.

Mike O'Kennedy, known as “Mike Okay” on YouTube, is a British travel blogger with over half a million followers. He is best known for his documentaries on travel to remote and controversial places, including North Korea and Xinjiang in China. His content focuses on providing a personal and uncensored insight into these areas, often with humor and a sense of adventure.

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