One of the highlights of the Eurovision Song Contest Final from last night was the program in the intermission: The Swedish Smorgasbord, by Petra Mede, Swedish comedienne, dancer and television host.
This is her presentation of Sweden and Swedes for all those of you who are curious – and Swedes to be entertained. Our relationship to church, the need of consensus – even at the combat zone, the talent of doing compost, Carola and many more goodies at the smorgasbord.
Any surprises?
Enjoy,
Johanna
Yesterday The Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Final was held in Malmo, in Sweden.
What I didn’t know was that the Eurovision was created 57 years ago by a group of broadcasters with the intent to unify Europe after world war II through the power of music. It makes total sense. And today the event is bigger than ever.
The event opened with a newly composed Eurovision Anthem “We Write The Story”, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. and the Swedish DJ, and record producer Avicii. “We couldn’t get ABBA – but ABA”, as Petra Mede introduced them.
A master piece. Here it is. Enjoy!
Johanna
“We have a choice in everything, we write the story…” – what are you making a choice about today? What is the next chapter in your story?
Love is Everywhere. Love is Equal. Does equal marriage even need to be a question?
Celebrate love. Don’t ban it. Do like Sweden, and raise the flags for all celebrations of love – gender neutral.
During the weeks leading up to Pride Stockholm you can see rainbow flags flying from the flagpoles that line the water in front of the royal castle. (more…)
When it comes to social media and getting your message across, you can sometimes ride on the wave of success created by others.
The last one I would have loved to see from (more…)
A year ago I had a visit from Swedish friends. A couple and three children, age 2-6 .
They were in the middle of a three week road-trip in California. The reaction from many was that it was brave to travel with 3 kids.
Yesterday, I had a visit from a Spanish family. A couple and three children, age 9-12.
San Francisco was their first stop on their 8 months world trip travel, well planned out, including 2 weeks summer camp for the kids in the US, and home schooling along the way. You can read about their journey here.
Now THAT is something to me unheard of, and opens up my mind for new possibilities… Adding that trip around the globe back on the list. It’s never too late.
Kudos to courageous parents!
Johanna
“Operation Artificial Swedener
Sweden lets one citizen tweet for the country every week, but Stephen finds that he is 100xs more suited for this than the entire nation of Sweden.”
I vote yes! for Stephen Colbert to be a @sweden forteign rep for a week. That would be hilarious! Watch the movie, if the code translates properly…
Hubedobedo!
Johanna
Seems like the @sweden followers doubled since this show was aired. Tag on you too! Follow: @sweden
I was listening to the radio the other day and heard them talking about the ongoing series of American Idol. The view numbers are decreasing, and they claimed an American Idol fatigue – the number of artists having performed the same covers starts to be too many. It’s not new any longer.
I know what might be the next big thing. It’s recently been pitched in Sweden. And I won’t say more. Just yet. Can’t wait for it to be created and cross the boarders.
What is similar to American Idol, and is still going strong, is the Eurovision Song Contest. The difference is that the artists participating compete with a new original song, representing their country, voted by the countries and the populations. I wouldn’t say that it is as ingrained in our Swedish culture to watch the national Melodifestivalen, leading up the Eurovision Song Contest Final, as it is to watch Donald Duck 3pm Christmas Eve – but very close.
Here in the U.S., a Norwegian friend hosts an annual party the evening of the final with a replay of the event. Norway won 3 years ago. There are clear and strong instructions to stay out of Social Media and news, so that we don’t know who the winner is… With the new feature of starred Facebook friends, and automatic notifications of their updates on my phone, I didn’t succeed to avoid my cousins shout out real time in Sweden… but it was fun to watch.
There is a sweet rivalry going on in-between Sweden and Norway – but they didn’t deserve to fall that far down the list…
And here is the winning song, “Euphoria” with Loreen from Sweden.
Enjoy,
Johanna
Lyrics: Euphoria
Why, why can’t this moment last forevermore?
Tonight, tonight eternity’s an open door…
No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do.
Don’t go, in every breath I take I’m breathing you…
EuphoriaForever, ’till the end of time
From now on, only you and I
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
We are here, we’re all alone in our own Universe,
We are free, where everything’s allowed and love comes first,
Forever and ever together, we sail into infinity,
We’re higher and higher and higher, we’re reaching for divinity.
Euphoria
Forever, ’till the end of time
From now on, only you and I
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria
An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Forever we sail into infinity,
We’re higher, we’re reaching for divinity…
Euphoria, euphoria
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria….An everlasting piece of art
A beating love within my heart
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
Euphoria, euphoria
We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up
At first he wasn’t interested at all. Clearly not.
“No – I’m watching TV.” [Breathe – don’t take it personally.]
After a little bit of begging and trying to get his attention he comes around to say hi for a second. Maybe two.
Hanging around a little longer… asking a few questions… about the day, the special event, celebration…
He gets a little excited and wants to share what he had gotten. A helicopter. I would be too.
And then it was time to go to bed. It had been a really long day. So before rushing off I try to connect onces more.
Calling his name calmly ones, twice… three times. He looks at me finally and I throw him a kiss. He lights up and does the same thing back at me!
Then he expresses “no, closer…” and climbs over the table and computer and kisses the screen on the other side.
Mm. The sweetest kiss. That one will last with me for a long time. My nephew has turned 3.
Johanna ❤ ❤ ❤ Wille
OK – as an excited participant from the Blog World & New Media Expo, I download the GoldRun iPhone app, after scanning the QR code on the covered New Fort Escape model, to be launched in a couple of weeks.
Let’s see… how does this work? OK challenges, and points. I take a photo of this animated dog, on my bed per the instructions – and share on twitter or Facebook. That takes a while. Voila – that gives me one point. And a message shared…
JohannaCNilssonJohanna C. NilssonFound Puppy World’s Chihuahua Puppy! Cutest in the universe! img.ly/af36
There are more challenges with upcoming deadlines to follow. I get one point for each shared photo. Fine. So what does the competition look like? HA!
3 days in to the game, the leading participant has 911 points. Thank you – I think I have other things to do than taking photos of cute animated dogs and uploading – no matter how much I like Ford (it was my first car after all). They must have another target audience than me. It will be interesting to see what the results will be from this campaign.
Talking about car campaigns – tomorrow, Friday November 11, is the last day to vote on the Toyota Sweden Facebook page, which child charity shall get the most colorful hybrid car donated – by children, for children.
Go to Toyota Sweden Facebook page and vote! It takes two minutes. The video that they created of the children paining the car is sweet and you can only see it there… or you can see photos and listen to the music by (Swedish;) SOL Stat & Orchestra Live right below… It will make you smile.
Spread a little love, just say hello,
Johanna
June 6. The National Day of Sweden. Here is Ulf Lundell’s “Open Landscapes” – the unofficial National Anthem, after the real one and… ABBA’s Dancing Queen 😉
Cheers Sweden! Enjoy…
Johanna
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