Sara Sifri
Posted: 4/21/2009 4:18:16 PM
The L’Association Française International is this year once again presenting the Youth Competition of European Culture 2009. They have recognized the importance of connecting through the sharing of a meal especially in the current time of Economic crisis.
The habits of European people are changing quickly and since the Erasmus students are very good at documenting their experiences the competition assignment is to take a picture with the theme "Europe is sitting down to eat" and write a sentence or a caption of it.
The competition is open for current and previous Erasmus Students and the deadline for participating is April 25th 2009.
More information about the competition can be found at this link: http://www.jpce.org/JPCE_2009/Take_Part_in_the_competition.html
To read more about the ERAMUS exchange program visit: http://ec.europa.eu/education/external-relation-programmes/doc72_en.htm
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Posted: 4/9/2009 9:34:11 AM
TODAY is the Maundy Thursday and this is what we in Sweden call Skärtorsdag.
If you're living in a neighbourhood where there are a lot of families with small children don't be afraid if the kids come knocking on your door dressed up like in the picture above wanting candy in exchange for their self made easter cards. Just see to it that you have candy at home =)
They are easter witches, "påskkärringar", and the legend has it that they use to ride their brooms to "Blåkulla" where they had a grand feast with the devil.
Swedish people are not so religious but do cherish their traditions.
During the Easter holiday they eat a lot of Eggs, Herring and drink "Påskmust" and aquavit. They eat till they can't eat no more and their love for candy shows in the amount of sweets they consume just during this week-end.
I just read on the page of Swedish trade federation that we in Sweden consume 2000 tons (!) of candy and just as many tons of eggs during Easter.
http://www.svenskhandel.se/web/In_english.aspx
I believe that many international students in Sweden right now are asking themselves and others what they might do for a fun Easter activity this week-end. If you find yourself in Stockholm then Skansen has an Easter market and a lot of activities can be found in your local paper or tourist bureau.
Have a Happy Easter Holiday Everyone!
GLAD PÅSK!!
To read more about the Swedish Easter follow this link:
http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Celebrating-the-Swedish-way/Easter/
Here is a link to the Skansen activities during Easter:
http://www.skansen.se/pages/?ID=1074
(the Picture is from Image bank Sweden)
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Posted: 1/27/2009 4:59:59 PM
HEJ everyone!
I really don't have a clue as to why I began writing in this box saying blogging.
All I know is that last week I started my internship at the Swedish Institute and that I really have begun to ask myself questions about the Swedishness within me.
Although my parents are both Lebanese I have grown up and had all my education here in Sweden. Sometimes there are conflicting views between the two ways I have been brought up.
During the days when my parents were working or going to school to learn the language I was put up in daycare and later in both school and after school activities.
The way of being brought up in the Swedish education system was a liberal and western way with freedom of mind and individualism but also universalism and democratic ideals. At home I was taught about family values, the importance of loyalty and religion.
With my upbringing from these both sides I have a mixture within me that is sometimes hard to define and sometimes conflicting, but in the end gives me an outlook on life I would never have had otherwise.
So I can positively say that I am an open positive person because I come from a big family where family values are highlighted and where I can always lean for support if I need to. I am also blessed with the liberal ideas of importance of self and the individualism that makes it possible to fulfill your own dreams. At the same time what I heed is not only religion but also the universal thoughts from the west of freedom, democracy, equality and every person’s worth.
In the end it is possible to say that I am proud of having two ways to think, understand and interact. It's like two sides that in the end make sense because they are so different.
Next time I feel like blogging I will reflect on the unspoken rules of Swedish society and what is expected and smart to know if you want to adjust…
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