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Friday, May 9, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/culture/war-cocaine-and-nuclear-weapons-mr-speaker-lampoons-the-swedish-establishment/

Culture

War, cocaine and nuclear weapons – “Mr. Speaker” lampoons the Swedish establishment

Published 13 April 2024
– By Editorial Staff
The program's portrayal of Swedish leaders is not flattering.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The latest episode of “Mr. Speaker” (“Herr Talman”), available on Swedish public service channel SVT Play, depicts the Swedish party leaders as war-, cocaine-, nuclear weapons-loving and subservient puppets of the Wallenberg financial dynasty and “Sleepy Joe” Biden’s USA.

According to the creators, the televised puppet show “takes an irreverent humorous approach to politics with satirical puppet versions of our party leaders. Through sketches and songs, the show pokes fun at the political theater, the shortcomings of party leaders, and current issues”.

The show’s creator, Michael Lindgren, is perhaps best known to the Swedish public as a member of the humor group Grotesco and as his alter-ego DJ Trexx performing the acclaimed break-time entertainment number Tingeling during Melodifestivalen in 2009. He is also the man behind the news satire program Svenska Nyheter, also broadcast on SVT and now in its 12th season.

Together with acclaimed comedian Henrik Dorsin and others, Lindgren runs the historic Scala Theatre in Stockholm, founded in 1915, as well as the production company Scala Produktion AB, which has brought the puppet show to TV.

– We look at politics and its celebrities but take great liberties with reality and joke around a lot. It’s very exciting to work with puppets, it allows us to go far, says Lindgren according to the Scala Theatre website.

The series premiered in 2022 and was broadcast in 16 episodes. When it was time for a second season premiere last Friday, no effort was spared when it came to making fun of the Swedish establishment. The episode takes place during the parliament’s Easter celebrations, where prime minister Ulf “Uffetuffe” (roughly meaning “Tough Ulf”)  Kristersson wants to celebrate Easter and take credit for Sweden’s NATO accession.

Rewarded by Wallenberg

The celebration doesn’t go according to plan, however, when the ambitious and perpetually confirmation-seeking “Uffetuffe” expects to receive congratulations and best wishes for the new NATO membership from his European colleagues, who are joining the celebration via video link. Instead, he is greeted by a pride-flag-burning Orbán who “doesn’t want anything to do with that bitch Elf from the pussy moderates in gay Sweden”, a pissed-off Erdogan and the customarily confused “Sleepy Joe” Biden with the nuclear button at the ready.

The only one who actually congratulates “Uffetuffe” on the achievement of NATO membership is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, after hacking the video link, tells Uffetuffe about the Russian proverb that says “even if a small short beetroot seeks shelter in the world’s largest borscht factory, it will be crushed”.

 

Suddenly a sound is heard, which (former Swedish prime minister) Magdalena Andersson immediately identifies as “Jacob Wallenberg’s helicopter”. After an introduction by Uffetuffe in the form of “he owns like half the stock market, he is my great idol”, Jacob Wallenberg enters the stage and says about the NATO accession that:

“This is a teamwork in the parliament that we are of course not part of. Just because I own a lot of arms industry, it is not for me to decide whether we should join a lucrative arms alliance or not. But, as a sign of my appreciation, all the politicians in here now have a goodie truck waiting in the parking lot with some products from companies in the Wallenberg sphere”.

Jacob Wallenberg takes the stage to participate in the NATO Easter celebrations of the party leaders.

Cocaine party

Later in the party, when Uffetuffe is sad that the world has not given him the recognition he hoped for, Wallenberg comforts him by saying that his strength lies in his submissiveness and ability to endure humiliation. “We would never have joined NATO if you hadn’t let Turkey and Hungary pee in your face so much”, Wallenberg consoles Uffetuffe.

With these encouraging words, Wallenberg leaves the party by activating his cloaking device and disappears. Swedish Left party leader Nooshi Dadgostar notes that it’s five o’clock and the journalists have gone home, which means only one thing – a coke party!

The party leaders then join in singing “President Dement”.

English lyrics to “President Dement”

We are with the good guys now
Protected by Article 5
Captain America
Is now standing guard at our home

It may be dangerous you say
to tease the Russian bear but
I don’t care
I don’t care

Now we hang out with the USA
We send Swedish kids to the edge of war
In some desert country

Sleepy Joe is great
But maybe a little forgetful sometimes

Our boss is demented
But he has nuclear weapons
President Demented
Mother Sweden’s friend

President Demented
Tell us Sleepy Joe
Where are you going to move the troops?
Should we march on Moscow?
After you take your nap?
Yeah, that would be pretty nice.

Oppenheimer with Alzeimer
He has a timer on the stove
He’s lost and on the ice
Does he wear spikes when he jogs?
The blood is clogging in his brain

Our boss is demented
But he has nuclear weapons
President Demented
Mother Sweden’s friend

Then it will be Donald Trump

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/culture/record-number-of-swedes-read-books-last-year/

Culture

Record number of Swedes read books last year

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

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/culture/swedish-criminologist-fired-after-linking-genetics-and-ethnicity-to-crime-on-state-tv/

Culture

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.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/culture/swedens-bohus-fortress-gets-digital-twin-for-preservation/

Culture

Sweden’s Bohus Fortress gets digital twin for preservation

Published 13 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/culture/mike-offers-a-unique-glimpse-into-everyday-life-in-china/

Culture

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.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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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