Come on in and let’s have a little fun and explore how the Easter holiday is celebrated in Sweden. Better yet, what the Easter Holiday in Sweden means to me. We’ll take a quick tour around Skåne during the recent Easter break and the Easter (Påsk) holiday weekend.
Easter Break (the week before Easter)
Eva (our Editor) was off from school for the week before Påsk, so we began the holidays with a trip into Lund. She was searching for the perfect feather tree (påskris). Which one should it be?
And finally, hidden amongst the vivid colors was her (our) påskris.
You ever try to carry a feather tree home on the train? No problem, we weren’t the only one on the train with a feather tree.
On the other hand, I was looking for the International Food Fair. Yep, the 2017 International Food Fair was at Mårtenstorget plaza in Lund that very weekend. Now I wasn’t sure what to expect but was excited by the prospect of having food vendor from all over serving their best.
Well, I found it interesting, but not the culinary experience I was hoping for. It was a fun adventure, but after strolling around, looking at the smelling the food wagons, I realized they were all alike. The food carts had the same designs and cooking apparatus. Looked to me as it was all one company. So in a sense, it was like the old roaming carnivals that traveled city to city, but now it’s a food carnival. People were enjoying though, especially the kids. For me, I must say, I’d settle for the local hot dog vendor.
But the day wasn’t lost, we still had a wonderful time in Lund. Spring was beginning to spring and the first flowers we opening. And of course, they’re always plenty of fresh flowers to be had.
Churches, fields and Wind Machines
During the weekdays of the Easter break, mother nature cooperated (somewhat) and we were able to drive around the countryside and enjoy Skåne (like a state or province). Skåne is full of beauty and churches, very old churches. They’re very cool to visit. I truly believe I could visit a church a day and stay busy for years. My local favorite is the Dalby church. It’s, I believe, the oldest church structure in Sweden. The Holy Cross Priory, Dalby dates back to the very early 11th century. Amazing place it is. I’ll not linger here because I have a post dedicated to this church scheduled for summer. Click on the churches for a link to the church website.
The Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan), an Evangelical Lutheran faith, was the official religion of Sweden until 2000. Also of interest, is that it’s reported that Sweden has one of the lowest percentage of church goers in the world at 29% claiming to be religious. However, 62% of Swedes claim to be members of the Church of Sweden.
During a drive through the countryside of Skåne, near where we live, you travel through endless kilometers of farms. Skåne Agriculturally is Skåne’s second largest commodity. In the south of Sweden sugar beets, grains and rapeseed (Canola oil) are major crops. There are also numerous other crops grown in the area. As a matter of fact, Sweden is considered one of the most agricultural self-sufficient countries in the world.
You might have noticed another prominent fixture here in the countryside. Wind Machines (turbines), they’re everywhere and big ones. Indeed some of the biggest in the world. Up in Northern Sweden, they’re building a huge complex of wind machines. When finished in 2020 Markbygden Wind Farm will be comprised of 1100 turbines covering an area of 450 square kilometers (175 sq. miles). These big boys are going to run in height up to 200 meters. That’s over 650 feet! When and if finished, this will also be the biggest wind farm in Europe. Here in Sweden wind currently provides about 10% of the countries power requirement. Also, you’re considered to be very “Green” when you specify that you wish to use electricity from the wind. Of course one pays a premium. Well, in case you can’t tell, I have a bit of a fascination with wind turbines.
Actually, I’ve always wanted to stand/lay right underneath one of these big monsters and I finally did. It was amazing to feel the downdraft of wind from the enormous blades and to hear the low pitched “whompf” sound as the blade makes as it passes. What can I say, I’m easily entertained!
Ateljé Råbygård
Our new friends over at Ateljé Råbygård were holding their annual “Art Weekend” exhibit. So we went by on Good Friday. We had a wonderful time looking at the artisan ceramic pieces produced there.
These are just a few of the great pieces they had on exhibit.
The old converted farmhouse is also home to a great little organic sourdough bakery. “The Brödlabbet” (bread lab), as it’s called, is a wonderful small artisan sourdough bread establishment.
It’s rumored that they are baking up some great wood-fired pizzas on the weekend.
While there, we couldn’t help but take a moment to watch a little Swedish Easter Witch pump some much-needed water. Well, not sure how much it was needed, but fun to watch.
House Hunting!
Did I mention we are looking for a home to purchase? We had some time, so we went looking!
This one is in fair condition but in need of some upgrading. It also had a very large yard and I’m not much on mowing grass these days.
Now this one has possibilities, plenty of rooms for visitors, a huge kitchen with dining area and very well kept garden. I’m a bit worried about the roof, it could require repairs and I’m not sure how I’d do climbing up there. After much consideration, we decided to not pursue either of these and continue our search.
This one is in serious contention. There are multiple towers, which is great for overnight guests or hanging one’s long golden hair from. Trimming the hedges might be a bit much, however.
Oh my, this lovely home has a formal garden and is surrounded by pristine fields. This must be the one!
Well, we decided we’d better check with our local banker regarding financing. It proved to be a positive and fruitful meeting and after the meeting, we decided that this might be more appropriate!
So the hunt for our perfect house continues.
As for the four images above this one, they are Swedish castles (Slotts in Swedish). They seem to be everywhere. Some are still owned by the original families and others not. Most are large estates in terms of land holdings. There are over a dozen Slotts within an hour drive or so from our home.
The Answer to “What It Meant To Me” – Finally!
Easter in Sweden was glorious. It was full of family gatherings and faith. It was about great meals, (did I mention family?), train rides, trips in the country, wind machine exploring, looking at houses, lots of wine, churches and most of all spending time with those I love. It also meant missing our family and friends back in the US, that’s what Swedish Easter meant to me!
So what did you think of my Easter in Sweden? Let me know by commenting below.
Glad påsk
Bill says
So many flowers and they are just magnificent. I wish we had corner/street flower sellers here. It’s one of my favorite things when I am lucky enough to travel overseas. And I love the feather trees too!
Ron says
Bill – Flowers are very important in the Scandinavian culture, especially tulips. Here’s a Swedish fresh cut tulip tip. Always trim the flower at the bottom to where the stems are the same length. Then when you add tulips to the vase only use about 1” of water in the vase. They keep longer this way. Just check daily for water. Funny about feather trees, they disappear right after Easter, not to be seen for another 11 months. Thanks for the comments.
Marla Barnard says
It looks lovely! Hugs and kisses to you all! Thanks for sharing.
Ron says
Hi Marla – Thanks for the read and comments. We’re going to try and post for every major holiday. The next one is this Sunday it’s Walpurgis Night (“Valborgsmässoafton”) and Monday is the workers parade (May Day) and the changing of the hats. Hopefully, I’ll remember enough so as to be able to post it.
Eha says
What a fantastic post – especially for me as Estonian-born and a Gemini who loves to poke my nose into all kinds of different areas! Well, feather trees were all new to me: I may have been quite small when I had to leave my birth country but that custom is definitely ‘strange’ ! The coloured eggs naturally are not! Loved the art gallery!. Was surprised to find a Catholic church out your way – thought Sweden all Lutheran like Estonia. International Food festival – you should get your genie to fly you to Sydney – you’d love ours! Hope you find the right home in the coming warmer months: did have a laugh scrolling! And, last but by no means least, I also am fascinated by the wind farms . . . since we are a dirty ‘coal country’ there is tremendous commercial pressure against renewables and tho’ SE Australia is very windy, every turbine has to be fought for . . . oh, the cows are not supposed to like the noise and won’t give milk !!!!! And surely they are so ugly – NOT! Ha!
Ron says
Eha – Estonia, a place we plan to visit. We’d love to be in Pärnu in June for the Grillfest. Estonia has food festival going somewhere all summer.
As for the churches, Sweden was a catholic country until the reformation. Around 1523 that all changed, the old churches that date back prior to the mid 1500’s were built as Catholic churches.
You are correct about enjoying the Sidney Food Festival. It’s on my bucket list. We hope to make it to the Smaka på Stockholm event in June. If we make it’ll be a post. Then there’s the Malmö Foodtruck-festival in May and the Copenhagen Cooking and Food show in August. It’s going to be a busy summer.
You know, we have group that protest the Wind Turbines and say they are going to be the end of the migratory birds. Having been around them, I’d say if a bird got smacked by one of the blades he’d have to be blind. They move so slow. Don’t know about the cows, I’ll ask around on that one. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for reading.
Eha says
Jealous of your forthcoming European foodie ventures! Estonia for food: hmmm! I still think of it as a meat and potatoes country but then I do live in an Asian atmosphere with its infinite parameters 🙂 ! Am smiling about coincidences in life: I am an army brat and the Officers’ Summer Home of the country was in Põrnu, supposedly with the best beach in a non-beach country. Remember some fabulous times I was spoilt to bits by all those sans kids . . . have looked at Mr Google’s photos . . . it has changed quite a bit, I guess so have I !! Enjoy if you get there but go to the Tallinn Old Town also . . .
Eha says
Pärnu – my apologies! Your lettering is very elegant but very small 🙂 !!
Ron says
Thanks for the tip on Tallinn. As for the print, your right it is small and difficult to read. I will do something about that right now.