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 Hiking around Sälen by sim1
The right of public access (allemansrätten) is a unique right that we have in Sweden (there are similar systems in Norway and Finland). It is alike for Swedes and for from visitors from abroad. In short it means that everyone has the right to be out in the countryside. You can use and enjoy all natural spaces in Sweden, whether it is privately owned or by the government.
But the right of public access is a freedom for all. The main rule is that you don't damage the landscape or animal life, and you must show consideration for both landowners and for everyone else that is out and about in the countryside.
In short: Do not disturb, do not destroy.
So this is the right of public access in general, but what does it mean for you? I'll try to explain a little bit more about it in my next few tips.
You can read about the rules in more detail on this website: http://www.allemansratten.se/ (available in Swedish, English and German) Leave a Comment
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 Picking berries by sim1
Let me give you another example of the right of public access (allemanrätten). You are allowed to pick berries or mushrooms in the countryside. But do remember that in areas protected by law, like national parks, nature reserves and historical sites, special rules apply.
But in general this rule gives you a great opportunity to taste some of those delicious wild berries such as blue-, lingon- and cloudberries that you can see so much in the Swedish countryside. Leave a Comment
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 The right of public laziness
?? by sim1
The right of public access is great for backpackers and people travelling on a budget. The rules for camping are simple: It is allowed to camp in the countryside for one or two nights in the same place. But there are some restrictions. It is only allowed if you are not disturbing the landowner, or the local people. You are not allowed to put up your tent near homes, farm building or on farmland. These rules do not apply for groups; they need special permission. Other exceptions to the general rule are also national parks and nature reserves. Camping with a caravan also has extra restrictions to these general rules.
As you can see we didn't have any buildings close to us, no people being disturbed, it wasn't any farmland, the perfect spot to put up our tent for the night :-)
Åke is expertly demonstrating a totally different type of right: "the right of public laziness". The rules are simple, hahaha, the sun must be shining and the tent must be set up before you get this right. After that you can be lazy as much as you want :-)) Leave a Comment
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 Gullviva by sim1
You are allowed to pick wildflowers under the right of public access, but only the ones that don't have a protected status. Now here is where things might get very complicated. Some flowers are protected in one area, but not in another. Like this flower for instance, the Gullviva. In the part of Sweden where I live (Södermanlands Län) the flower is not protected as it is so common in this area. But in huge parts of Sweden this flower is protected.
One flower is easy though: the orchid. All species of orchid are protected throughout Sweden, so you are not allowed to pick those. It is also not permitted to gather mosses and lichens in large quantities.
If you are not sure about whether a flower or plant is protected or not, you can ask at the local tourist information. They will be able to help you out with some more info.
These tips have only been a few examples of what the 'allemansrätten' or 'right of public access' in practise means. On the website mentioned below, you can read much more about it, like rules for hiking, boating, fishing, making a fire, dogs, etc, etc. Leave a Comment
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 Tomte Nisse by sim1
Time to tell something about a mythical figure in Sweden that lives among us: the Tomte!
In Sweden they don't know the American-type santa. They have their own santa-figure: the Jultomte (Christmas tomte). The Jultomte is a cheerful gnome who is the one that brings the Christmas presents. Here you can see some little ornaments of funny looking jultomtar.
The Jultomte has its origin in the Hustomte (house gnome). In Sweden they believed in the tomte gnomes long before the Jultomte was invented as a tradition.
The word tomt means lot or grounds, and the tomte is the gnome that takes care of the houses and the lot. He is a grumpy little figure, hardly ever seen, but always believed to be around. He made sure that the owner looked after his property; you didn't want to annoy him! So you made sure you took care of your house, your livestock and property. And if you did that, the tomte would be pleased and help you to take care of it as well.
When the Santaclaus tradition came to Sweden, the name of tomte was used for the Jultomte (Christmas tomte). It's rather logical in a way to make the tomte the symbol of the Swedish Santa Claus. The tomte has a long beard and a red cap, so in a way looks like Santa. The red cap was a very common hat for farmers in Sweden in the old days, so of course tomte wore one as well. The good thing about the Jultomte is that he is a totally different in character than the tomte. He is not the grumpy old gnome like the tomte, but a cheerful character and a well seen guest during the Christmas time :-) Leave a Comment
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 City Forest in Uppsala by hopang
You may pick mushrooms, berries and flowers which are not protected. But you are not allowed to touch or pick cultivated fruits and vegetables or walk into the cultivated fields and gardens without permission.
You are not allowed to hunt for wild animals and birds. You normally require to apply for a licence to fish in the lakes and rivers.
You are not allowed to drive motor vehicles including motor cycles and mopeds off the road or to pitch a tent too close to a house or a private property. Permission can be obtained from the landowners if you wish to pitch a tent for several days. Leave a Comment
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 Fireworks o nthe 31st of
December by sim1
During the year we celebrate several usual and maybe to you a bit more unsual holidays:
New Years Eve (31 December) and New Years Day (1st January)
13 afton (6 January)
20 Knut (13 January)
Valborgsmässoafton/Walpurgis Night (30th April)
1May
långfredagen/Good Friday (The Friday before Easter)
Easter (2 days: the Sunday and Monday closest after the full moon after the 21st of March)
Kristi himmelfärdsdag/Ascension Day (The 6th Thursday after Easter)
Pingst/Whitsuntide (The 7th Sunday after Easter)
Nationaldagen/National Day (6th June)
Midsommar (The Saturday between the 20th and 26th of June)
Alla Helgons Dag (The Saturday between the 31st of October and 6th November)
St.Lucia (13th December)
Christmas Eve (24th December), Christmas day (25th December) and Boxing Day (26th December)
In the next few tips you'll get a bit more info about the traditions surrounding these holidays. Leave a Comment
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 24th December : Christmas
time! by sim1
24th December: Christmas time!
God Jul! (Merry Christmas!)
24th December : Christmas time! Not the 25th and 26th are the most important days for Swedes, but the 24th is the 'real' Christmas day!
For me that is something to get used to, as I never considered the day of 'Christmas Eve' part of Christmas. That has never been a tradition for me. Hahaha, the 25th was the day to look out for! But I guess I am having Christmas a day early now :-)))
This day, like a lot of other Swedes I visited the family in the morning, had a skinkmacka (ham sandwich) for lunch. Went home just in time to see the 3 o'clock Disney Cartoons, opened the presents and enjoyed the Julbord (Christmas dinner).
The Swedish Christmas traditions are so unlike the typical Christmas that I expected: It's a day early, there is fish instead of turkey on the dinner table and a Jultomte (Christmas gnome) instead of a Santa (like in the Coca-Cola advertising saying HoHoHo) is bringing the presents. So as you can see this was quite a culture shock for me ;-))
If you want to read more about the Swedish Christmas traditions, you can have a look at my Hedlandet page. Leave a Comment
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 To shoe or not to shoe, that's
the question! by sim1
I think it differs in every country, but in Sweden as a general rule it is the custom to take off your shoes when you enter a home. In The Netherlands it was just the opposite, you 'never' took off your shoes. I still find it confusing but I am getting used to it. Phew, in the winter a lot of work though to untie the shoes for maybe only a 1 minute visit. Hahaha, luckily it is much easier in the summer to take of those sandals :-)
Of course there are some exceptions to the rule. A good tip is when you having a party or something at someone's home, you can check if there is a pile of shoes at the entrance. Than you know for sure you are supposed to take them off. Hahaha, this tip only works when you are not the first guest to arrive, lol. If that's the case a good tip is to also check if the host is wearing shoes or not. Leave a Comment
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Have you heard that the British always talk about the weather?
I seriuosly don't think they could be as bad as us Swedes!!
the number one topic of conversation in Sweden is definitely the weather:
– what it's like right now,what the forecasts say, how cold it is, how warm it is (Swedes often want to know the exact degrees), how the county office doesn't clear the roads of snow...
Swedish people aren't very fond of discussing politics or the more serious subjects with people they are not very well acquainted with, but the weather always goes.
Maybe it's because the weather changes so much during the year. Living here one is very very aware of what season it is, and how one misses those that lie in the future. Leave a Comment
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