E-days (Växjö, Sweden) - September
As a platform for supporting trade and commerce between Sweden
and the US. The Swedish–American Entrepreneurial Days, E-Days,
have become the most important trade and networking event. Since
1997, the event has given small, medium, and large companies a
platform to connect and develop new business. It takes place twice a
year, once in Sweden and once in the U.S. Last year, 2011, the Swedish event was held in Växjö, Småland, a university city and a hub for
companies in the central southern part of Sweden. President David
Engstrom represented SACC-Philadelphia at the events. He got many
new impressions and ideas on how to further help Swedish business
establish in the Philadelphia region.
Crayfish party- August
SACC Philadelphia joined the American Swedish Historical Museum for their traditional Swedish crayfish party. It was a beautiful evening that started in the museum’s courtyard with drinks
and a smorgasbord of appetizers, followed by a crayfish dinner
inside the museum. All the typical features of a good crayfish
party were included: a room decorated with lanterns, crayfish
cooked in brine and dill, potato salad, Västerbotten cheese pie
and meatballs. SACC-Philadelphia also arranged a raffle where
you could win a beautiful vase from Kosta Boda, tickets to Kalmar Nyckel, and a over night stay at the Warrick Hotel and more
Although a relatively young tradition, only about a hundred years old, crayfish parties are together with the celebration of Midsummer one of the most emblematically Swedish traditions. Judging by its good reception,
maybe it will eventually become an American one as well.
Jussi Björling Tribute- November
Jussi Björling, the once world renowned tenor and one of the
most well-known operatic singers in the 20th century, was commemorated on November 2 at the Ethical Society in Philadelphia.
The event combined live vocal performances by Mats Carlsson,
leading tenor of the Swedish Royal Opera, and carefully selected
recordings and a slide show compiled and presented by Björling
expert, Bertil Bengtsson. The audience was given an extensive
historical and a breath-taking musical account on Mr Björling’s
personal and musical life as well as an understanding of the great
popularity and influence on contemporary audiences and critics
worldwide that Mr. Björling commanded during the latter part
of the 1930s until his death in 1960. Jan Campell-Westlind, Honorary Consul of Sweden - Philadelphia, helped organize the Jussi
Björling tribute. Food and drinks were the compliments of IKEA.