Page 35 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

SWEDEN THROUGH THE Y EAR  33

Music in the Kingdom of
Crystal, Småland’s Glassworks
(end of Jul). Folk music, choral
singing, opera, wind bands and
jazz in a charming setting.
Kukkolaforsen Whitefish
Festival (last weekend in Jul).
Celebrations in Sweden and
Finland to mark the whitefish
reaching the Torneälven river,
which forms the border
between the two countries.
The fish are caught in large nets
and eaten grilled or smoked.
August
Spectators cheering runners at the Stockholm Marathon Skänninge Market,
Östergötland (first Wed & Thu
round the maypole. Evenings Rättvik, Leksand and Mora is in Aug). One of Sweden’s
are often warm and the nights especially rich in tradition with most traditional markets,
light, encouraging parties folk music and the wearing of attracting 120,000 visitors
round the clock. In the far colourful national costumes. to this medieval city.
north the sun doesn’t even set. Peace and Love Festival Gotland Medieval Week (early
July is traditionally the main (end of Jun). Large music Aug). Visby is turned into a
holiday month and favourite festival, held in Borlänge. 14th-century Hanseatic city
spots can become crowded. ÅF Offshore Race (end of Jun/ with tournaments, plays and
But Sweden is big and there’s early Jul). Major international music and participants in
room for every one. The start of sailing race around Gotland, colourful medieval costumes.
the school term at the end of starting in Stockholm and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
August coincides with two finishing in Sandhamn, in the Outdoor Concert, Stockholm
popular culinary festivals Stockholm Archipelago. (mid-Aug). This concert on the
celebrating crayfish and lawn outside Sjöhistoriska
fermented Baltic herring. July Museet is one of the highlights
Skule Song Festival (first of the season.
June weekend in Jul). One of Sweden’s Way Out West, Gothenburg
Stockholm Marathon (early largest singing festivals, held at (mid-Aug). Held in a city park,
Jun). One of the world’s ten the foot of the Skule mountain the west coast’s biggest music
biggest marathons with up to on the High Coast. festival draws famous artists
21,500 runners. Vansbro Swim (early Jul). Up from around the world.
Archipelago Boat Day, to 8,700 people take part in Gothenburg Jazz Festival
Stockholm (Jun). Classic the 3-km (2-mile) swim in the (end of Aug). This three-day
steamboats assemble at Vanån and Västerdal rivers, festival of swing, jazz, gospel
Strömkajen for a round trip starting in Vansbro. and blues takes place at seven
to Vaxholm. Stånga Games, Gotland (mid- locations around the city.
National Day (6 Jun). A public Jul). Events featuring Gotland Crayfish and Fermented
holiday since 2005, National Day sports such as Square-and- Herring (end of Aug). Although
is celebrated around the country border-ball, The Stone, there is no longer a statutory
as Swedish Flag Day. The Royal Gotlandic Pole Throwing and start date for eating these
Family attend the celebrations “Hook the Bottom”. delicacies – accompanied by ice-
at Skansen in Stockholm. Gammelvala Brunskog, cold snaps and cheese – this is
Postrodden Mail Boat Race, Värmland (end of Jul). Week-long when Swedes party the most.
Grisslehamn (mid-Jun). Rowing festival celebrating
race to the Åland islands the domestic skills
following the old mail route. of the past. Music,
“Vätternrundan” (mid-Jun). exhibitions, drama
Classic cycling race 300 km and local food.
(190 miles) round Lake Vättern Storsjöyran Festival
with around 20,000 participants, (end of Jul). This
starting and finishing in Motala. week-long festival of
Midsummer’s Eve (penultimate pop and rock music
Fri in Jun). A major Swedish in “the Republic of
festival celebrated by dancing Jämtland” also offers
around a flower-bedecked drama, exhibitions
maypole. Midsummer in Dalarna, and street artists. Sailors in vintage clothes at Postrodden Race, Grisslehamn

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