A modern author Swedish style

Swedes are avid readers and this book is but an example of one interesting subject by a talented author, in this case, Åke Edwardson, in his latest book, 'Den Sista Vintern'.. a criminal thriller.

sophie zelmani

In 1995 Sophie came from nowhere with the release of her self-entitled debut album and she soon caught the attention of many people in Sweden and the far east. Her music is quite unique in Swedish music history, since it's based on the American singer/songwriter tradition. When you hear her music it's hard to understand she is actually from a suburb to Stockholm. If you close your eyes while listening to Sophie’s remarkable voice accompanied by acoustic guitar, pedal steel and saxophone it's easy to imagine yourself sipping raw whiskey in a smoky Texas bar. It all started when Sophie was 14 and her stepfather thought her some chords and she discovered her ability to write songs. In her earlier years she had mostly played soccer and running tracks with the boys. "I wrote a song and it felt amazing. I didn't really think that much about what I was doing, really." Says Sophie with typically modest. Sophie later recorded a few songs at a local studio and mailed the demos to three record companies with no special expectations. Sophie soon received a call from Sony Sweden which offered her a record deal. So the shy woman from Stockholm who never really had performed in front of an audience started recording the album. The album is produced and arranged by Lars Halapi (co produced by Patrik Sventelius), which also plays guitar on all of the songs. Sophie’s music has been compared with such great artist as Neil Young, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. The shimmering acoustic guitar in "Always You" bares the spirit of Neil Young and Van Morrison-like sax riffs underlines the song "A Thousand Times". "I'll See You (In Another World)" radiates the feeling of Springsteen, the song is about her stated beliefs in destiny, wisdom of life, goodness, dreams, close relationships and love. Sophie’s music also has a lot in common with singer/songwriters as Joni Mitchell and Jewel Kilcher. It all adds up to something unique in the history of Swedish music and Sophie’s music is liked in many of the worlds different parts. Even many Americans have taken hear music to their hearts, something that's not so strange considering that the singer/songwriter tradition originated in the US. After a lot of work with promoting her album in the US she finally started to record her new album in the autumn of 97. All Swedish critics that I know of agree on that Sophie’s album is something special. She was awarded a Grammy at the Swedish Grammy awards as best newcomer in 1995, she was also nominated for Best female pop singer. Her album has sold gold both in Sweden and Japan were she is very popular. The 24-year-old Sophie is seldom seen in TV shows or in other interviews. Sophie prefers to let the magic of her music speak for itself and I guess that's the way it's supposed to be.

Teddybear, Nallebjörn, Bruintje Beer

THis foto of a stuffed man-made bear represents a beloved friend and companion by children of all ages. In my life I have called mine, Teddybear in English, Nallebjörn in Swedish and Bruintje beer in Dutch. There is nothing more special or personal than the connection to the fuzzy little creature that even as a child one can talk with and tell secrets to and cry with and never ever get scolded. It offeres a hug freely with never a fuss and gets to sleep beside you under your covers so you are not alone.

Swedish Chocolate

Swedish chocolate is delicious and also among the very best in the world.. maribou and daim and even a special kind of milk chocolate bar made especially for IKEA of Sweden that has their stores around the globe AND where you can actually buy this chocolate!!

Semla. swedish pastry eaten traditionally Shrove

Semla is a special fine flour pastry that for centuries has been baked and eaten on 'fettisdagen' Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent and for several years has been showing up earlier and earlier in the year. We have just bought our first from the bakery in town and will eat them today.. So very very good they are, of the finest flour and filled with almond paste and then whipped cream topped with the little cap cut off where the creams were added.

Hemmets Journal, Swedish Magazine

'Hemmets Journal' is a very popular magazine in Sweden full of articles and crosswrod puzzles and sudoku, as well as tons of terrific recipes.

The Emigrants, by Vilhelm Moberg, Swedish writer

Vilhelm Moberg is an amazing and great Swedish author who wrote the series about immigrants from Sweden to America,'The Emingrants', 'Unto a Good Land', 'The Settlers', and 'The Last Letter Home'.. a heart wrenching realistic adventure not unlike those endured by so many people since the beginning of time set into words that makes one live along.

catching a great havsöring, salmo trutta

This is Lennart Westerlund, Stenungsund, with the Swedish sportfish record for havsöring, 15,26 kg, 104 cm TL, omkrets 64 cm, Emån 1993.

Julskinka in swedish..Christmas Ham

Julskinka pronounced yule gwhinka is a definite traditional dish for us Swedes at Christmas or Yule time(Jul) The season is not the same with at least a small amount on hand along with all the other traditional courses