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Christmas 2015 SWEA Los Angeles Christmas Fair today opens for the 36th year in a row. Agneta Nilsson, the founder of SWEA, is as actively involved today as the first time. Her contributions this year, like Anita Bergsten’s and Britt Kayaian’s, both fair planners from its start, have been invalu- Christmas Fair 2015 able. This says much about the stamina and spirit of the women of SWEA Los Program Magazine Angeles. Photo: Kerstin Alm Many more wonderful Swedish women Publisher: have joined our organization over the years, and today young and old, veteran SWEA Los Angeles and newcomer, have all come together and worked their hardest to, hopefully, make the fair yet another success. Editor: As a third year member of SWEA LA, this will also be my third fair. All three have Sanna WIlkinson been at different locations, which is more of a coincidence than a sign of lack of roots. For years, the fair was held at the Hollywood Palladium or the Shrine Contributors Auditorium in Westwood, but circumstance beyond SWEA’s control has made Stefan Elming us test new waters here at Torrance Cultural Arts Center. We hope everyone will MInna Madzunkova like this light, one story facility with its large airy rooms and courtyard. Visitors Matilda Tennysdotter will have an easy walk around all the booths and food areas, as well as a roomy Sanna Wilkinson outdoor place to eat. Mantaray Film As one of the 3 Co-chairs, having worked closely with Anita Bergsten and Ingegerd Landström since the beginning of March, I marvel at the fact that we Advertising: now are finally opening the doors. I thank you two hardworking women whose Mia Lundin smiles, positive attitudes, and sheer hard leg work go such a long way! A huge Minna Madzunkova and heartfelt thanks, of course, to each and every one who have so supported Sanna Willkinson us in this lengthy build-up and are also here today. I hope the this Program Magazine will present you with some leisurely reading, Design & Production: while also offering guidance on where things are located and events take place. SannArt Design Wish you all a fun-filled fair day and a Merry Christmas. www.sannart.com Sanna Wilkinson, Editor and Co-chair Cover & Photos, except were other credit is indicated, by Xmas Fair Co-chairs © Fotolia.com Anita Bergsten, Ingegerd Landström & Sanna Wilkinson

Contents is a global non-profit organiza- Front Cover: Old Town Stockholm with Tyska kyrkan tion for Swedish speaking women (German Church) who live or have lived abroad. Our

Page 4 - 5 objective is to promote Swedish Lucia 2015 & Celebrity Presenters culture and to act as a profes- sional and social network for Swedish speaking women around the world. Page 6 - 7 Page 9 The organization was founded in Map, directory & menu Schedule of Events Photo: Kerstin Alm Los Angeles in 1979 by Agneta Page 12-13 Nilsson. Today SWEA has Ninja Thyberg, SWEA LA Film Scholarship Recipient 2016 approximately 7 500 members in 73 local chapters in 33 countries on five continents.

For more information about Page 14-15 Pages 16-17 SWEA Los Angeles visit Meet two “SWEA -Swedes” Swedes love fish! www.losangeles.swea.org

2 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 lthough we don’t have A special thank you to this snow in Los Angeles and year’s Christmas Fair co-chairs the scenery is quite differ- Anita Bergsten, Ingegerd Landström ent from , Christmas and Sanna Wilkinson. Extended thanks spirit truly finds its way to the SWEA Los also to Agneta Nilsson, Britt Kayian, Angeles Christmas Fair. We will do all to make and Marti Baldecchi for many, many years this a day to remember and cherish! of commitment! You will be enjoying an enchanting Lucia performance and the youngest visitors will have the This year we are happy to announce that Volvo Cars of opportunity to meet “Jultomten” (Santa Claus). North America, Norwegian Airways and Sigtunaskolan As every year there will be a variety of Swedish traditional Humanistiska Läroverket (SSHL) are supporting SWEA Los Christmas meals and spirit such as meatballs and glögg to Angeles. Thank you for your much appreciated donations! enjoy, and of course Swedish arts and crafts to purchase. I wish to thank SWEA-members, volunteers, vendors, Wishing you a wonderful ! and entertainers for making the fair happen through their With love, hard work and dedication! on behalf of SWEA Los Angeles, Minna Madzunkova President, SWEA Los Angeles

Map, List of Exhibitors, and Menus: Pages 6-7 Program of Events: Page 9

Bli medlem i

Världsvid vänskap • Global kompetens • Lokalt stöd SWEA Los Angeles är en aktiv och utåtriktad förening som stän- digt har saker på gång. Tillsammans utgör vi i SWEA LA ett nätverk och en mötesplats för svensk-talande kvinnor bosatta i Los Angeles-området och vi häl- sar såväl nya medlemmar som nya idéer och uppslag om fram- tida aktiviteter varmt välkomna. Medlemmar i SWEA Los Angeles får rabatter på vissa lokala affärer och service-företag. Vår förening blir vad vi alla tillsammans gör den till!

För att bli medlem i SWEA skall man vara svenska eller svensk- talande kvinna över 18 år, vara villig att verka för SWEAs ändamål, vara bosatt på orten genom permanentboende, lång- tidsanställning eller utbildning. The Hillside Village 24550 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505 Kontakta SWEA LAs Medlemsansvarig (310)791-7117 [email protected]

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 3 Meet SWEA Los Angeles Lucia 2015 My name is Julia Hansson. I’m from Växjö, Sweden.

I worked as an au pair in San Francisco in 2008, and that’s when I first fell in love with California. After a few years hiatus, last year I finally decided it was time to come I have a degree in software development, but moved back and this time to LA. Moving here was one of the best here predominantly to pursue my passion for music and decisions I’ve ever made. I love the energy in LA and I fitness. I am currently at Santa Monica college, where I’m am fortunate to have the full the support of my family and studying physical therapy and music. friends in my pursuit to make a life here.

4 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 Photo: Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se

As is the tradition, SWEA Los Angeles is fortunate to have two celebrated Swedes as presenters of our Lucia.

Martina Jones & Paul Ottoson

Martina is the Born in Lönsboda, daughter of Sweden, music legend Paul Ottosson is Quincy Jones one of the most and super model notable Hollywood Ulla Andersson. Sound Supervi- She is a native sors/Designers/ Los Angelean but Mixers. Paul has split her younger won three Oscar years living Academy Awards, in both Los Angeles and Stockholm. a BAFTA award for Best Achievement Growing up in the music industry, in Sound Editing and an Emmy Award it’s no surprise that Martina found with over 150 movies under his belt. He herself pursuing a career in dance in is also listed on one of the top 30 of the commercials, music videos and dance Oscar Winners Alive list. shows. As she entered her 20s, the world of modeling opened its doors to His credits include “The Hurt Locker”, her. She has been featured in Italian- “Zero Dark Thirty”, “White House Vogue and appeared on the runway in Down”; “Spider-Man 2 & 3”; “2012” ; Europe and Scandinavia. “Fury”; “ Men in Black III”; “ Penguins Martina ultimately knew she wanted of Madagascar”, and soon to be released to work with children. She now works “ Independance Day 2”. as an early childhood education teacher After moved to United States in 1987, and simultaneously pursues a career as Paul is living in Los Angeles with his a photographer. wife Karen Han and son Theo Ottosson.

Paul Ottoson is also on the jury for SWEA Los Angeles Film Scholarship 2016, recently awarded to Ninja Thyberg (see page 13)

www.forujewelry.net

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 5 SWEA Area within Torrance Cultural Arts Center

Lucia Stage Torino Plaza

No Entryway!

Food Court Seating Torino Festival Plaza

Auditorium (F) SWEA Tombola & =Eating table Flea Market

TOYOTA ROOM (T)

Main Entrance ASSEMBLY ROOM (A) Entrance to Toyota Room ken miller rec center from Torino Festival Plaza

ENTRANCE LOBBY (L) SWEA PR and Info...... L-6 SWEA Raffle...... L-5 SWEA Volunteer Check-in..... L-4 SWEA Entrance & Tickets...... L-3 TOYOTA ROOM (T) Berolina Bakery...... T-15-16-17 ADUDITORIUM (F) SwedArt...... T-13-14 SWEA glöggbar...... F6 Norrdesign...... T-11-12 TOYOTA ROOM(T) SWEA Bakery...... F5 Shoops...... T-8-9-10 SACC-GLA...... T-33 SWEA Café...... F4 Norw. Food...... T-6-7 Scandia World Travel...... T-31 Church of Sweden...... F3 Brigitte Bergman...... T-5 Lund University Foundation... T-32 SWEA Hot Dogs...... F2 Swedish Sweets...... T4 Skandi Shoppe...... T-30 Food from Swedes...... F1 Eton of Sweden...... T3 Joan Johnson, Artist...... T-29 Eva-Marie’s Butik...... T-2 Creations by Anne-Marie...... T-28 ASSEMBLY ROOM (A) Tere Caro...... T1 Christina Bikas...... T-27 Church of Sweden...... A-15-18 Sockerbit...... T-39 Zoega+ clogs...... T-26 SWEA Flea Market and Books...A-9-17 Svensk Butik...... T-38 Solweigs Designs...... T24-25 SWEA Tombola...... A-3-8 Mindfullness Center of L A..... T-37 Mi Designs...... T-23 Anna Erneholm Artworks...... A-2 Miracle Mile Toys & Games... T-36 Elinore’s Scand. Woodcraft..... T-22 Rosemaling by Beth...... A-1 Sanco Gifts...... T-35 Candle Baker...... T-21 Children’s Corner...... NE Corner For U-Jewelry...... T-34 Scandinavian Trends...... T-20 Kerstin Alm...... Plaza Swedish School of Los Angeles.T-19 Marianne Sample Jewlery...... T-18

6 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 Caterer Caterer SWEA Los Angeles Church of Sweden Los Angeles, Table F-3

SWEA Hot Dogs, Table F-2 Swedish Pancakes (one)...... $ 3 Hot Dogs...... $4 Swedish pancakes(two)...... $ 5 Drink...... $1 Swedish Pancakes (three)...... $ 7 Lingonberry drink...... $ 1 SWEA Glögg Bar, Table F-6 Glögg per Glass...... $5 Food from Swedes, Table F-1 Beer...... $5 Shrimp & Egg Water...... $2 open-faced Sandwich...... $8 Gravlax (cured salmon) SWEA Café, Table F4 open-face sandwich...... $8 Cake & Cookie platter (2 items)...... $3 Meatballs plate, incl. meatballs, gravy, Coffe, Tea, or Hot Chocolate...... $2 mashed potatoes, lingon berries...... $10 Herring delight incl. pickled herring, potatoes, red onion, sour cream...... $5 Lingonberry Drink...... $1

Som hemma fast utomlands

Church of Sweden - Los Angeles Pastor Staffan Eklund, tel. 310-292-7080

c/o Norwegian Seamen’s Church 1035 South Beacon Street, San Pedro, CA 90731

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SWTBeritB-card.indd 1 Los Angeles Christmas8/29/08 Fair 10:33:03 2015 AM 7

Christmas Fair

Mistress of Ceremonies: Margaretha Laseen

10 am Doors open. Minna Madzunkova, President, SWEA Los Angeles, declares the 36th SWEA Los Angeles Annual Christmas Fair open

11 am Swedish Folk Dance Club of Los Angeles, led by Jane Kindig will perform on stage, accompanied by Leroy Andersson.You are welcome to join the folk dancers in the Auditorium where they will also teach you an easy dance.

11 am - 3 pm Visit with Tomten, the Swedish Santa Claus, at the Children’s corner or in Assembly Room for Photo opportunities. He will also walk around, greeting everybody and take part of the dancing around the Christmas tree.

11:45 am John Huldt, classical guitar

12 noon Lucia Pageant arranged by Marit Baldecchi.| John Huldt, classical guitar Actress and activist Martina Jones will honor SWEA Los Angeles Lucia, Julia Hansson

The other members of Lucia’s court are: Amelie Gustafsson, Annika Suderburg, Frida Lofegren, Kristin Wannemo, Lara McCarthy, Lisa-Savannah Howard, Louise Nyberg, Madelene Shah, Mathilda Tennysdotter, Maria Isaacs, Marit Baldecchi, Stefanie Morosini. Little maidens: Chloe Butler, Emma Goodvin, Grace Berger, Karolina Newall, Mikaela Newall, Sofia Stellar

1 pm Dance around the Christmas Tree with Tomten in Auditorium and/or courtyard

2 pm Swedish Folk Dance Club will perform accompanied by Leroy Andersson. Auditorium

2:15 Church of Sweden Los Angeles Choir performance

3 pm Lucia Pageant arranged by Marit Baldecchi. John Huldt, classical guitar. Academy Award Winner Paul Ottoson will honor SWEA Los Angeles Lucia, Julia Hansson

4 pm Drawing of Raffle tickets - Auditorium Prices include round trip ticket to any of the 3 Scandinavian capitals, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, beauty products, jewelry prices, fashion apparel - and more! 5 pm SWEA Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 Closing

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 9 B:8.75” T:8.5”

God Jul!

use code SWEAJUL at checkout for 20% off your web order through Dec. 31, 2015 B:11.25” www.facestockholm.com T:11”

FIND YOUR LOCAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VOLVO RETAILER AT VOLVOCARS.US 10 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015

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Job info Approvals Fonts & Images Job 1354682 Art Director None Fonts Client Volvo Copywriter None Volvo Sans Pro (Bold) Media Type Print Account Mgr None Live None Studio Artist dj Images Trim 8.5” x 11” Proofreader None VCC08289_V2_EXT.psd (CMYK; 566 ppi; Bleed 8.75” x 11.25” 52.98%), VCC_Ironmark_Print_CMYK-2.eps Pubs SWEA Event Program Notes (13.29%) Volvo - SWEA Event Program Ad Inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black B:8.75” T:8.5” B:11.25” T:11”

FIND YOUR LOCAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VOLVO RETAILER AT VOLVOCARS.US 11

1 132774_1354682_F1_R1.indd Saved at 11-11-2015 4:13 PM from hgpnapws-h02638 by None / Peter Zjawiony Printed At None

Job info Approvals Fonts & Images Job 1354682 Art Director None Fonts Client Volvo Copywriter None Volvo Sans Pro (Bold) Media Type Print Account Mgr None Live None Studio Artist dj Images Trim 8.5” x 11” Proofreader None VCC08289_V2_EXT.psd (CMYK; 566 ppi; Bleed 8.75” x 11.25” 52.98%), VCC_Ironmark_Print_CMYK-2.eps Pubs SWEA Event Program Notes (13.29%) Volvo - SWEA Event Program Ad Inks Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

SWEA Los Angeles Film Scholarship

All proceeds from the SWEA Los Angeles Christmas Fair go to our scholarship fund.

™ SWEA Los Angeles A SPLASH OF FLASH Filmstipendium (Film Scholar- ship) enables a young, Swedish WEB DESIGN filmmaker to gain international COPY EDITING & PRINT DESIGN experience and build lasting IMAGE MANIPULATION photo restoration, constructing, re-coloring relationships in the movie SANNART DESIGN capital of the world. ENGLISH & SWEDISH It was initiated by SWEA’s call 949 854 8733 www.sannart.com founder Agneta Nilsson, as a means by which to celebrate SWEA Los Angeles 25th Anniversary. Some time later the former Consul General of Sweden in Los Angeles, Thomas Rosander, became engaged in the project and the very first scholarship was awarded in 2007.

The finalists, chosen by SWEA LA Film Scholarshop Committeee, have their work judged by a 3-panel jury. Its members are producer Richard Ulfvengren, Academy Award winning sound technician Paul Ottosson, and the founder of Scandinavian Film Festival James Koenig.

12 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 SWEA Los Angeles Film Scolarship recipient 2016, Ninja Thyberg SWEA Los Angeles is pleased to announce Ninja Thyberg as its 2016 SWEA Los Angeles Film Scholarship recipient.The scholarship consist of $7,500 and a round ticket from Sweden to Los Angeles. The recipient will spend three months in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world, focus- ing on work, education and networking. Ninja Thyberg, 31 years old, holds a degree in Film Directing from Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts. She gradu- cian Paul Ottosson and the founder recipient is “a force to be reckoned ated in May 2015, and is already the of Scandinavian Film Festival James with” who will spend her time in recipient of numerous awards includ- Koenig: Los Angeles for specialized study, ing Canal Plus Award at Cannes Film ”We are always looking at wonder- and working on a most interesting Festival in 2013 for “Pleasure” and ful talent and dedication. And we’re feature film project about a Swedish Student Visionary Award at Tribeca often seeing great talent at varying girl working in the Los Angeles porn Film Festival in 2015 for “Catwalk”. levels of development. In the case of industry.” Thyberg is questioning the relation be- Ninja Thyberg we were looking at a tween power, body and sexuality and rising star who has already been rec- During Thyberg’s stay in Los she is digging into social hierarchies, ognized at Cannes, and at the Tribeca Angeles she is planning on working group dynamics and stereotyping in Film Festival. Her talent shows drive on the feature film project “Jessica” her work. and individuality and her craft is al- and attending workshops in directing Ninja Thyberg made a tremendous ready fine-tuned to bringing her ideas actors and script analysis. impression on the jury consisting of from the page to the screen. All the producer Richard Ulfvengren, Acad- Minna Madzunkova applicants show outstanding achieve- Photos courtesy Ninja Thyberg emy Award winning sound techni- ment. But it was clear that this year’s

SWEA Los Angeles Film Scholarship Award consists of $7,500 and a return trip Sweden-Los Angeles.

Previous recipients include Gustaf Olden (2007), Lotta Lättström (2008),Ylva Forner (2009), Terese Andrén (2011) and Hanna Andersson (2012), Nanna Dalunde (2013), An- ders Hellström (2014), and Caroline Ingvarsson (2015).

Find out more about the scholarship and and earlier years’ scholarship recipients at SWEA Los Angeles PR- table in the front lobby.

Find further information on SWEA Los Angeles web site, www.losangeles.wwea.org

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 13 My name is Stefan Elming. I am born in the USA to immigrant parents fromSweden. My mother Gull Hej tomtegubben! “Jill” (Adolfsson) (Approximate translation: Hi Ol’ Santa Man!) Elming was from the city of Stockholm and was one of the Ever present at the SWEA Christmas original members of SWEA . Fair, Stefan Elming, aka Tomten, My father Curt Elming was from the town of Eksjö in Småland and was a writes about his mutual and long former career Swedish Navy man and and dear friendship with SWEA an officer in the Swedish Merchant Los Angeles. Marine.

I speak, read, write and sing in Swedish. I learned Swedish before I learned English, and we spoke Swedish daily at home. I served in the Swedish Army with Lapplands Jägarregemente I22 Lapland Ranger Regiment above the Arctic Circle in Kiruna. One of my duties as a Jägare was serving as an English Language Interpreter. I later served in the United States Army as a Medic and as a Swedish Language Interpreter.

My family was very active in the Scandinavian community in Los Ange- les. Our family business was owning and operating Swedish Smörgåsbord restaurants and a catering service for over 35 years. The restaurants were: “House of Sweden” in Redondo Beach and Torrance, “Royal Swede” in Santa Monica, “Little Inn” in Inglewood, “King Gustav” in Palm Springs, and “Swedish Corner” in Torrance. My father also had a popular Swedish radio show in the Los Angeles area for many years called “Curt Elming’s Swedish Radio Hour” where he would play old and new music from Sweden every Sunday morning on the old KKOP 93.5 FM.

Tomten will greet children and adults, around the fair area when he is not sitting by the children’s corner for photo oppo- runites. He will also lead the ring dance around the Christmas tree. Clipping from SWEA Newsletter, December 2010

14 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 Thank you, Mathilda! Our Lucia photographer, SWEA-member Mathilda Tennysdotter, who also was last year’s Lucia, has donated a photo shoot as one of the prizes to the SWEA Raffle! Young and energetic, she aims for a career in LA. Here she introduces herself:

I grew up on the countryside outside a very small village in the south of Sweden. I started working with my own projects at a subsidiary to IKEA while I was in upper second- ary school studying media. When I finished school I got my first employ- ment as a photographer for two big shoe companies in Sweden. After a few years I was longing for new chal- lenges and felt the need to develop as a photographer. The summer of 2012 I decided to take a year off from my job in Sweden and moved to Santa Monica to study more photography. When I finished the studies in De- cember 2014, I decided to stay and explore my opportunities in Los An- geles. Now I work as a photographer and my work can be found on my website www.tennysdotter.com. I became a member of SWEA in 2015. I really appreciate the Swedish traditions and for me it’s very valu- able to keep them. When I moved away from my family it became very important to have some kind of safety and community where people help each other.

The chance to win Mathilda’s photo shoot is given to anyone who buys raffle tickets sold only today during the Fair. The drawing will be at 4 PM.

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 15 wedes’ great love affair with seafood and fish from any waters can be verified by anyone who has ever Straveled there. Being that the Swedish elongated land mass is surrounded by water on 3 sides, with a coastal length of about 2000 miles and with many lakes, it is no surprise that this gastronomic inamorata historically goes back to the Swedes’ hunt for food in the Stone Age.

Fishing has always been a major source of nourishment and thus income for Swedes, and it is still so today. The assortment of seafood available at the fish truck (similar to the catering trucks over here,) often seen outside a super- market, is immense. Fresh and salt water fish are lined up neatly behind the glass counters, as are many kinds of freshly made gourmet sauces and an array of pickled, or in other ways preserved seafood. Photo: Sanna Wilkinson Besides eating it fresh, after heating it over a fire or stove, the other uniquely Swedish ways of serving fish My American family and friends, mostly an open- might well raise some American eyebrows. minded and happy-go-lucky bunch, receive the Swedish Like any food that needed preservation in pre-refriger- fare I often serve with mixed reactions. My seafood-loving ator times, the Swedish advantage was that freezing of the husband draws the line, however, at lutefisk, a true Swedish catch was easy during the long winters. But when the short, Christmas meal. I find the white, tender, slightly translu- often quite warm summer came around, other methods of cent fish served with a white Béchamel sauce, sprinkled preserving developed in directions some sensitive eaters with allspice and with sides of boiled potatoes and “petits could barely imagine. Who knows, maybe it was by an pois” (small peas) rather harmless, but with a very mild and oversight or accident that some frozen fish might, given clean taste. I marvel, though, at how the fish doesn’t kill fortuitous circumstance, have fermented into sensationally me, considering how it is prepared. To start, the tradition- tasty and safe fare. Over time, varieties of preservation ally sun and air dried cod, slightly resembling a light beige methods, some undoubtedly imported from neighboring colored translucent piece of stiff leather is soaked in fresh countries, developed into a large number of uncooked cold water for five to six days, changing the water often. delicacies from the waters of Sweden on which we pride After that, it is soaked again in a solution of cold water and ourselves today. lye, unchanged, for an additional two days. I am not lying, it is lye! The stuff you put in your bathroom drain if it clogs up! ut of steaming, blanching, frying, grilling, smok- ing, marinating, pickling, or fermenting fish, the dmittedly, I am myself not totally sold on all of one method that stands out as the most Swedish the Swedish preserved seafood delights others Ois fermenting. This is closely followed by pick- swear by. The most poignant example would be ling, marinating, and smoking, although these are not ex- A “surströmming” (sour herring), a dish inspiring clusively Swedish. Most Swedes would firmly claim their an almost religious devotion, especially among northern pickled herring and smoked salmon to be the best, though. Swedes. With just enough salt to prevent the raw “ström- Gravlax, however, we can definitely claim as “ours.” ming” (Baltic herring) from chemically decomposing, and Well almost. It goes back to Sweden of the middle ages, fermented for half a year, the lightly-salted fish develops when the borders to our Scandinavian neighbors were a a strong smell and somewhat acidic taste. After that, the lot more loosely defined than today. In those days, fisher- fish is canned to “post ferment.” When the can is finally men salted the salmon and lightly fermented it by burying opened, the smell spreads like wildfire around a whole it in the sand above the high-tide line to keep it cool. The block and yes, my friends, it stinks! Like the smell from a word “grav” in gravlax comes from the Scandinavian word sulfate plant. The smell has even been given the dubious “gräva”, which means “dig,” as in “dig a hole.” Today, honor of being the worst food smell in the world! most place the salmon filet, rubbed with salt, sugar, crushed Never-the-less, many Swedes eat “surströmming” with pepper, and chopped fresh dill under a heavy weight in the gusto! They do concede it has to be consumed outside, refrigerator and leave it there for 48 hours. Thinly sliced though, together with buttered rye crisp bread and cheese, and served with a mustard-dill sweet sauce and boiled pota- most often topped off with not just one, but often several toes, this Swedish gourmet meal is refined simplicity itself. shots of (spiced vodka), aka “”.

16 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 Fish, Fish, and Fish! But Nothing Fishy About Swedes’

ith patriotic joy, I have seen my husband other- wise devour Swedish seafood. He loves “Matjes- Love of Seafood! sill”, also fermented and called “sill” (which is By Sanna Wilkinson Wherring from the west coast – keep track of this!) and through a much different process, being fermented whole in barrels with salted water first. The “sill” is then filleted and canned in a spice mix of sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. When opened, the reddish sill fillets are cut up into bite size pieces and served, again with rye crisp, butter and cheese. And - you guessed it – a few shots of snaps. What Swedes call anjovis has no connection with the anjovis in most other countries. Our anjovis is the tiny filet version of “sill”, in taste and preparation much the same as Matjesill. It is used in a number of dishes, but most notably in Janson’s Temptation. It is potato au gratin, in which the anjovis filets are layered with potato strips and sliced onion. Topped with generous amount of cream and baked for about half an hour, it makes a heavenly meal, often served at Christmas. and Canada. A national of any these countries with access to waters where crayfish could be found, a catch otherwise ne of many things that may strike Americans as ignored, could easily make themselves rich by exporting odd is our way of cooking, eating, and treating a small, unimportant shellfish to some crazy people in ourselves to what I’d like to call the Royalty of northern Europe, who sactually enjoyed them immensely! O shellfish: The Crayfish (“crawdads” to Texans and Louisianans have always fished their own and pre- Louisianans). Swedes wouldn’t touch a warm crayfish with pared them Cajun style, almost a sacrilege to Swedes. a ten foot pole. No, boiled in a brine of salt, pepper, and Their crayfish have always been considered pretty much a most importantly, crown dill, these 9-10 inch long shellfish regional specialty in the US. (including the claws) have to be served ice cold after a at least 12 hours of cooling. As with any delicacy, the true originals, the real thing, The crayfish now thrive in Swedish fresh water lakes, will always win out over a myriad of, to my mind, dubi- but were almost extinct in the 70s. A disastrous plague then ous imports. The Swedish crayfish will always be the struck the Swedish crayfish waters, which led to major champion, no contest. Of course, one must be willing importation of the crustaceans, mainly from Turkey, China, to pay a hefty price for the pure luxury of having these lovelies on the table. Many readers may well have been to a Swedish crayfish , complete with party hats, bibs for a messy, but oh so scrumptious meal, surrounded by song, crisp rye buttered bread – and – yes, you guessed it again!

he snaps, as you see, is the binding factor in all this seafood eating. Perhaps the tradition of T having one or two or three during the course of the meal came about as some sort of a life insurance. Just in case something in all this fermenting and canning might have gone astray. Maybe it has always been a good idea to throw some antiseptic into the mix.

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 17 In Her Own Words - Jag är Ingrid

Text and photos courtesy Mantaray Film Film legend Ingrid Bergman portrayed in the internationally acclaimed documentary, spearheaded by her daughter Isabella Rossellini.

Cannes-awarded, paying a tribute to Hollywood star DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT Ingrid Bergman and celebrating the centenary of her birth, Some years ago I had a chance meeting with Isabella comes this feature documentary by director Stig Björkman Rossellini, the daughter of Ingrid Bergman, and she pre- with voice over by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander. sented me with a most direct proposition: ”Shall we make In spring 2011, director Stig Björkman meets Ingrid a film about ‘mama’?” I saw this as a most challenging Bergman’s daughter Isabella Rossellini and she suggests project, and when I later got access to her rich posthumous him to ”make a film about Mama”. Through Isabella, Stig work - diaries, letters, photographs, amateur movies - my is able to tell Ingrid’s story through her own words and im- appreciation of Ingrid Bergman as a strong and most deter- ages. mined artist grew even bigger . Seven time Academy Award nominee and three time Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman was one of the With INGRID BERGMAN – In Her Own Words (Jag most talented actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age with är Ingrid.) I’ve tried to make a rich and multi-colored great performances in films such as CASABLANCA portrait of this extraordinary human being, based to a large (1942), GASLIGHT (1944) and AUTUMN SONATA extent on her own offerings, her opinions as expressed in (1978) . her private diaries and self-made amateur movies, her art Through never-before-seen private footage, notes, let- as documented in films over more than four decades. And ters, diaries and interviews with her children, this documen- I have called in people close to her - her children - to wit- tary presents a personal portrait and captivating look behind ness about her life and her great offerings to all of us who the scenes of the remarkable life of a young Swedish girl have only gotten to know her from the silver screen . who became one of the most celebrated actresses of Ameri- can and World cinema. Stig Björkman 2015

EXCERPT FROM INGRID’S DIARY: I’m going to keep this diary and hide it away forever. “In Her Own Words” is playing through December 17 at I’m 14 years, two months and three days old. Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Boulevard I was born on the twenty-ninth of August 1915. just west of the 405 Freeway. My parents were Friedel Adler and Justus Bergman. For tickets and further information, visit I was baptised Ingrid. http://www.landmarktheatres.com/los-angeles I was spirited, irritating, stubborn and wild. /Ingrid Bergman 1929

18 Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 SPECIAL THANKS from SWEA Los Angeles to the Advertisers in the Christmas Fair Program and to all Donors to the Raffle and the Christmas Fair!

Also, our warmest THANKS Volvo Cars of N. America to Marti Baldecchi,, Norwegian Air Lucia Pageant coreogapher, SemCell Orrefors Stefan Elming (Tomten), Odd Molly Mathilda Tennysdotter Photography families, friends, and all our Malibu Farm Moods of Norway volunteers who have given so Daniel Wellington Swedish Press much of their time and efforts Eton Sigtunaskolan (SSHL) to make this fair possible. ForUJewelry Hästens

Los Angeles Christmas Fair 2015 19 8x10 in US magazine ad PRINT.pdf 1 10/13/2015 2:01:32 PM

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