Five exciting events for expats in Sweden this week
February can be a dreary month and new (or old) arrivals to Stockholm might feel lonely as it seems the country is still in hibernation. The Local's guide to the most exciting events around the country will inspire you to get out of the house and embrace your adopted country.
1. Laugh at a comedy show
Moving to a new country is tough, and struggling to learn the language or sort out your visa application might not do much to put a smile on your face. Laugh it off at the Grand Premiere of Malmö English Comedy Nights on February 10th, where the expat comics will help you see the funny side of your woes. Tickets are 175 kronor on the door or 135 kronor in advance, which includes entry to the casino where it's held. Alternatively, Linköping Comedy Festival takes place this weekend – most shows are in Swedish but there are a few English language options.
Photo: Chris Hunkeler/Flickr
2. Admire some snow sculptures
You’re living in Sweden, so you’re going to have to learn to love the snow. Umeå's Snow Sculpture Championships, from 10am-1pm on February 5th and 6th, will help transform your opinion of the white stuff from an annoyance to an art form. For spectators, no tickets are needed, just turn up to admire as the pros create their masterpieces and then vote for your favourite. This year's theme is 'quality of life'.
Photo: Kenneth Paulsson/Scanpix Sweden/AFP
3. Check out some typical Swedish art
Stockholm has plenty of great museums for art-lovers, but the place to be this weekend is Sven-Harry's museum to see an exhibition by one of the country's most popular artists, Olle Olsson Hagalund, which ends on February 7th. It's a rare chance to see paintings from private collections, and his colourful works of art mostly depict his hometown Solna and other areas of the capital. Admission is 100 kronor with a 20 kronor discount for pensioners and students. Under-18s get in free.
The Sven-Harry's art museum. Photo: Erik Anestad/Flickr
4. Enjoy the best of Swedish songs and cinema
It's all going on in Gothenburg this weekend. Not only is the first of the Melodifestivalen semi-finals, the event which will decide Sweden's Eurovision entry for 2016, taking place from February 5th-6th, with tickets still available from 235 kronor, but you can also catch the Gothenburg International Film Festival until February 8th. It's the largest film festival in the Nordics, and you can enjoy seminars, talks and of course plenty of film screenings – including some which won't be shown in cinemas. The festival pass is 50 kronor and you can find out about other ticket options here.
Last year's Melodifestival. Photo: Greger Ravik/Flickr
5. Watch some sports
Integrating into Swedish culture is important, but you don't need to forget your roots altogether. Americans, you're in luck; there are plenty of places up and down the country where you can watch the Super Bowl on February 7th with other expats and Swedes. In Gothenburg, try O'Leary's bar and restaurant (Facebook event here), there's no admission charge but booking a table is recommended. One option for Stockholmers is Italian restaurant Buco Nero, where tickets for the event cost 350 kronor. For those not interested in American football, the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm is showing the final of the Swedish pro fishing championships – dinner tickets cost 499 kronor.
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/AFP
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1. Laugh at a comedy show
Moving to a new country is tough, and struggling to learn the language or sort out your visa application might not do much to put a smile on your face. Laugh it off at the Grand Premiere of Malmö English Comedy Nights on February 10th, where the expat comics will help you see the funny side of your woes. Tickets are 175 kronor on the door or 135 kronor in advance, which includes entry to the casino where it's held. Alternatively, Linköping Comedy Festival takes place this weekend – most shows are in Swedish but there are a few English language options.
Photo: Chris Hunkeler/Flickr
2. Admire some snow sculptures
You’re living in Sweden, so you’re going to have to learn to love the snow. Umeå's Snow Sculpture Championships, from 10am-1pm on February 5th and 6th, will help transform your opinion of the white stuff from an annoyance to an art form. For spectators, no tickets are needed, just turn up to admire as the pros create their masterpieces and then vote for your favourite. This year's theme is 'quality of life'.
Photo: Kenneth Paulsson/Scanpix Sweden/AFP
3. Check out some typical Swedish art
Stockholm has plenty of great museums for art-lovers, but the place to be this weekend is Sven-Harry's museum to see an exhibition by one of the country's most popular artists, Olle Olsson Hagalund, which ends on February 7th. It's a rare chance to see paintings from private collections, and his colourful works of art mostly depict his hometown Solna and other areas of the capital. Admission is 100 kronor with a 20 kronor discount for pensioners and students. Under-18s get in free.
The Sven-Harry's art museum. Photo: Erik Anestad/Flickr
4. Enjoy the best of Swedish songs and cinema
It's all going on in Gothenburg this weekend. Not only is the first of the Melodifestivalen semi-finals, the event which will decide Sweden's Eurovision entry for 2016, taking place from February 5th-6th, with tickets still available from 235 kronor, but you can also catch the Gothenburg International Film Festival until February 8th. It's the largest film festival in the Nordics, and you can enjoy seminars, talks and of course plenty of film screenings – including some which won't be shown in cinemas. The festival pass is 50 kronor and you can find out about other ticket options here.
Last year's Melodifestival. Photo: Greger Ravik/Flickr
5. Watch some sports
Integrating into Swedish culture is important, but you don't need to forget your roots altogether. Americans, you're in luck; there are plenty of places up and down the country where you can watch the Super Bowl on February 7th with other expats and Swedes. In Gothenburg, try O'Leary's bar and restaurant (Facebook event here), there's no admission charge but booking a table is recommended. One option for Stockholmers is Italian restaurant Buco Nero, where tickets for the event cost 350 kronor. For those not interested in American football, the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm is showing the final of the Swedish pro fishing championships – dinner tickets cost 499 kronor.
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/AFP
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