Djurgården Archieven - Take me to Sweden

Allsång på Skansen sing-a-long

Posted in Something Swedish, Stockholm (E) by

Since 1935 (with some interruptions) you can go to Allsång på Skansen in Skansen (Stockholm). This music event has also been broadcast on SVT since 1979. Well-known artists do not only bring their own hits, they also sing a song that belongs to the collective Swedish memory. All Swedes know the text by heart. For those who do not know the lyrics, there are lyric-booklets for sale. On TV you get the text at the bottom of your screen.

Swedish party

Already in the early afternoon the Swedes start to come up for a place close to the stage. A little further from the stage, groups of friends and family pick a picnic spots. A unique experience, although at times – even for me – it was a bit too Swedish.

Stockholm i mitt hjärta

The show’s starting tune is ‘Stockholm i mitt hjärta’, a true classic. I can really recommend Allsång på Skansen for those who want to master the Swedish language. Because you can sing along and see the text on TV, you learn how the words are spoken. Singing songs is a good method to learn things anyway.

You not only learn the language but you also get a taste of Swedish culture. Thanks to Allsång på Skansen I got to know songs like ‘Var ska vi sova inatt’, ‘En kväll i juni’ and other classics.

Presentation Allsång på Skansen

Allsång på Skansen in Sweden is one of the best-watched TV programs of the summer. Currently, the presentation is done by Sanna Nielsen, who also took part in the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Undo’ for Sweden. Eurovision Song Contest winner Måns Zelmerlöw also presented the program.

A culinary experience at Oaxen Krog & Slip

Posted in Stockholm (E) by

Heidi

Stockholm has a lot of culinary hotspots. One that was on my list for a while was Oaxen Krog & Slip on Djurgården. I previously stayed at the Prince van Orangiën, belonging to the same group and across the water of the restaurant.

Oaxen Krog & Slip has been listed as one of Stockholm’s best restaurants for a few years already. You can have a quick lunch or an extensive dinner. For dinner it is advisable to make reservations. The restaurant is often fully booked long in advance. If you would like to be sure, you can also book for lunch.

A praline of 5 euro

Oaxen Krog & Slip serves a limited menu. For lunch there is a weekly changing menu. The serving dishes were just put on the table and you could serve yourself. The portions were spacious and we both liked it a lot.

Make sure you leave some place for dessert. One of the desserts on the map is the Oaxen praline. Don’t get scared by the price tag. You pay about 5 euros for the praline. As Belgians we were surprised because there is no special stuff at all in it. It’s just a nice piece of chocolate.

Despite the price of this praline, lunch at Oaxen Krog & Slip is quite affordable. The water is served for free and the service is impeccable. You get healthy, fair and tasty dishes and it’s a very beautiful setting with a view over the water.

Have you ever been to Oaxen Krog & Slip? Which other culinary adresses in Stockholm can you recommend?

Vikingaliv, Stockholm’s newest museum

Posted in Stockholm (E) by

Heidi

The image of the Vikings we have has been coloured over the centuries by assumptions. Vikingaliv, Stocholm’s newest museum, would like to show a correct image and relies only on established facts. This is not always easy because new information is still added through the excavations, for example, in Uppåkra in Skåne.

Life of the Vikings

For those who have to admit that they do not really know a lot of the Viking age, the museum has a comprehensive timeline. In addition to the many info tables (English / Swedish), there are also interactive panels and videos where you can wittness testimonials of different Viking characters. For example, there is Völva, a kind of priestess who also returns in the story during the ride “Ragnfrids Saga” on the lower floor.

One of the highlights of the museum is a replica of a Viking. Through DNA research on a skeleton from a museum in Sigtuna, they could reconstruct how a Viking looked. This replica has been done extremely well. It really looks like a lifelike person. If he would suddenly start talking or moving, it would not even surprise me!

The guides in the museum are very helpful and knowledgeable about the Viking Age and they can give you extra information if you want.

Ragnfrids Saga

Where the upper floor of Vikingaliv is mainly informative and educational, the ground floor offers a surprising ride. A 10-minute drive takes you to the time of the Vikings. You can choose the language yourself. Unfortunately, Dutch is not available.

Ragnfrid and her husband Harald play the lead. You are seated into carts and end up in the middle of the Viking era. Together with Harald you go on a trip. I do not want to explain too much, but this ride really makes visiting the museum worth the effort. All the pieces of information you get in the first part suddenly fall into place and I could imagine it all much better.

Restaurant Glöd

End your visit to Vikingaliv in the museum shop and the Glöd restaurant. We stopped for a short fika and the cardemum bullar have been approved by us! It is nice with views over the water and the islands across Wasahamnen. They serve food with a Nordic touch. Most dishes are ecological and seasonal.

Vikingaliv – practical

Vikingaliv is located at Djurgården, near the Vasamuseum. Take tram 7 and get off at the Vasa / Nordiska Museet. Walking from Gamla Stan brings you in around 20 minutes (along Strandvägen) to the museum. For access prices and opening hours, you can visit their website.

Meet the Vikings

Can’t get enough of Vikings? Until September 2017 you can visit an exhibition about Nordic myths and sages at Historiska Museet. You will find one of the largest exhibitions with artifacts and stories about the Vikings and their role in slavery. You will also find a whole collection of gold and silver treasures.

More about the Vikings? Visit Birka and Sigtuna!