Swedish people dance in a traditional ring around the birch leaf clad Midsummer pole at a ... [+]
With English so widely spoken and the country home to several global companies, it can be easy to forget that Sweden has a rich, distinctive culture of its own. From the Swedish people’s profound love of nature and the cherished fika ritual to the vibrant celebrations of Midsummer, Swedish culture is packed with curiosities.
While there’s so much depth to Swedish culture and Scandinavian lifestyle, these five must-know traditions will give you a good understanding of what makes Swedes tick.
A love of nature
Swedes are renowned for their love of nature, often spending their leisure time in the forests, on the lakes or by the sea.
As with the rest of Scandinavia, Sweden's right of common access allemansrätten ensures that nature is accessible to all, with forests, fields, beaches, and lakes open for public enjoyment. This accessibility to nature fosters a deep respect for the environment within society and underscores the cultural importance of spending time in nature.
City dwellers needn’t miss out on this key element of Swedish culture. The two biggest cities Stockholm and Gothenburg both have vast archipelagos within easy reach thanks to regular car and passenger ferries.
Fika
While it’s tempting to dismiss Swedish fika as simply a coffee break, this cherished ritual goes far beyond sipping coffee and savoring pastries. At its core, fika is an integral part of Swedish culture that fosters social connections and camaraderie.
A black coffee and a cinnamon bun are common elements of fika.
Friends, family, and work colleagues alike regularly gather to share in this deliberate moment of togetherness.
It’s that deliberate pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life that perhaps best defines fika. It encourages participants to slow down and engage in informal conversations, transcending work departments and hierarchies in the workplace. At home or in a cafe, fika creates a warm, inviting space for family and friends to catch up, unwind, and strengthen their bonds.
Midsummer
In mid-June, Swedes celebrate Midsummer, marking the year's longest day. While popular throughout the Nordic region, Midsummer takes on special significance in Sweden and arguably rivals Christmas in terms of cultural importance.
Celebrations take the form of outdoor gatherings, usually with the singing of folk songs and dancing around a maypole adorned with birch leaves and wildflowers.
In between the singing and dancing, participants tuck into a traditional Swedish smorgasbord of pickled herring, gravlax (cured salmon), small sausages, crispbreads and salads. The food is washed down by beer and spiced, herb-infused liquor known as snaps.
No Swedish midsummer celebration is complete without delicate flower crowns. Known as midsommarkrans, these beautiful summer wreaths are worn throughout the event by women, men and children alike.
Summer crayfish parties
Kräftskiva, or a crayfish party, is a cherished Swedish tradition that takes place in the last few weeks of summer. These lively outdoor gatherings feature an abundance of crayfish on the menu, accompanied by snapps and joyful singing, allowing Swedes to bid farewell to the warm season.
The table is set for a traditional Swedish crayfish party.
Other food served could include Västerbotten cheese pie, crisp breads and numerous salads. The party usually lasts well into the evening, with lanterns and candles helping to create a warm atmosphere.
Sweden’s crayfish parties share a lot in common with the Swedish love for nature and the concept of fika, as they are all about spending time outdoors, reconnecting with nature and each other.
Modesty and the art of lagom
Lagom, a Swedish concept embodying moderation and contentment, permeates various aspects of Swedish culture, from the welfare system to architecture and ëven cuisine. It encourages avoiding risks and overindulgence.
Lagom is related to Jantelagen, a set of social norms promoting humility and discouraging boasting or seeking attention. While not all younger Swedes may not adhere to lagom, its influence on Swedish society remains strong.
Writer Lola Akinmade Åkerström authored an entire book about the concept. She said that to live like a Swede means “to adopt cultural elements of lagom in various aspects of our lives. When it comes to tempering our emotions, lagom takes on the shape of moderation without extravagance.”
