Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreigners
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Anna Troberg, chairman of the DIK union for culture sector workers and an opponent of the government's plans for a cultural canon. We also have an interview with Pakistan's ambassador to Sweden, Zahoor Ahmed, to find out about the Pakistani community in Sweden and some cultural differences between the countries. For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's plans to introduce a state-mandated cultural canon and what it will mean for foreigners. Here are a couple of recent articles on the canon plan if you'd like to learn more. KEY POINTS: What do we know about the plans for a future Swedish cultural canon?What books and art can we expect to be in Sweden’s future cultural canon?We also chat about the Nobel banquet and the upcoming St. Lucia celebrations.The dinner that proves Sweden is anything but lagomParenting in Sweden: How to prepare for your child’s Lucia celebrationAnd we round up some of the week's main news stories: ‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration MinisterSwedish terror attacker sentenced to psychiatric careTurkey calls Sweden’s extradition of PKK militant ‘a start’ Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 Des 202241min
Why Swedes and foreigners clash in love (and how to make it work)
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. We also have interviews with the Irish Ambassador to Sweden, Austin Gormley, and psychologist Mona Lindqvist from the Stockholm region's Transcultural Center. For our main topic this week we look at how Swedes and foreigners can overcome their cultural differences to make relationships work. We received some fascinating responses when we asked about this in a survey: What are the barriers to a successful relationship with a Swede?Other stories we talk about:Five key julbord points: A beginner’s guide to the Swedish Christmas mealSweden's best Christmas markets for 2022Swedish parliament votes through work permit and ID number lawsThe ultimate guide to getting a work permit in SwedenWhat is a Swedish coordination number?Turkey calls for 'concrete steps' before backing Sweden's Nato bidWho will get Sweden's electricity subsidy and when will it be paid out?Swedish youths launch landmark climate lawsuit against governmentBaby, it's mörv outside: Sweden's 13th month is hereWill Gävle's Christmas goat survive this year? How this Swedish-band helped me learn the languageWhen do Swedes throw out their Christmas trees? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3 Des 202241min
Why does Sweden want to revoke permanent residency?
JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer__In the latest episode of Sweden in Focus we chat about the heavy snow that has fallen this week and how Sweden has coped. READER PICS: Snow turns Sweden into a winter wonderlandSix things they don’t tell you about the snow in Sweden We look at how Advent is celebrated in Sweden.How a German Christmas tradition became distinctively SwedishWe discuss the second spectacular spy story in the space of two weeks. Russian couple arrested as spies after helicopter raid in StockholmWe talk about the resurgence of tensions between the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals. We examine what we know about Sweden’s plans to get rid of permanent residency permits, and we hear from Ann-Cathrine Jungar, assistant professor at Södertörn University and an expert on radical right parties in the Nordics, on why the government wants to abolish them. EXPLAINED: What do we know about Sweden’s plans to withdraw permanent residency?And finally we’ll end with a short quiz to gauge our panelists’ Swedishness this week. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 Nov 202234min
Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Sayaka Osanami Törngren, Associate Professor in International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University.This week we start with a chat about the World Cup in Qatar which kicks off this weekend.How can I watch the 2022 World Cup on Swedish TV?We discuss a major spy scandal involving two brothers.KEY POINTS: What do we know so far about Sweden’s new spy scandal?We look at an incredibly detailed newspaper article in Svenska Dagbladet that shines a light on what was happening behind the scenes when Ulf Kristersson was trying to put together his government.We examine why Sweden doesn’t gather data on race and ethnicity like many other countries and discuss whether it should change its approach. This is the article by David Crouch that we mention: ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failingFinally, was last week’s quiz success a flash in the pan? We put our panelists through their paces again with three more questions about Swedish culture and society.__JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 Nov 202241min
Budget anger, Turkey deadlock, and can you pass The Local's Swedish citizenship test?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features an interview with Paul Levin, Director of Stockholm University’s Institute for Turkish Studies. Sweden's speech culture. When and how should you give a speech or toast in Sweden?The new government’s first budget and how people in Sweden have reacted to it.EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s 2023 budget could benefit your financesSweden’s government slammed for broken pledges in ‘restrictive’ budgetKEY POINTS: Which election promises are missing from Sweden’s budget?LIST: The biggest spending proposals in Sweden’s new budgetSwedish budget document states changes mean missing EU 2030 climate goalsPrime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s trip to Turkey.INTERVIEW: 'Perhaps Erdogan just wants to drag out the decision on Sweden's Nato entry'Swedish PM hails ‘very productive’ Nato meeting with Turkish presidentGotland terror trial.Knife terror attack was to ‘hit back at the Swedish people’Swedish terror trial: ‘I still check what people have in their hands’We end with a quiz to find out if our panelists have what it takes to pass a mock citizenship test. Here's a similar test we ran on the site recently. QUIZ: Can you pass The Local’s mock-up Swedish citizenship test?__JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 Nov 202240min
Climate criticism, struggling Ukrainians, and work permit limits under fire
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Jörgen Hedman, an author and researcher who has written extensively about the history of a Swedish village in Ukraine, and Kimberly Nicholas, a climate scientist at Lund University. This week's topics:Houdini's homecoming: the snake returnsWork permitsSwedish businesses attack plan to hike work permit threshold Energy & ClimateINTERVIEW: ‘If the world follows Sweden’s new path, we’re headed for climate disaster’Top Moderates accuse government of 'breaking promise' on energy prices What do we know about Sweden's electricity price subsidy? Swedish government and Sweden Democrats propose fuel tax cutsUkraineEXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden? INTERVIEW: 'We know there are Russian tanks in Ukraine's Swedish village' Update:Reader question: Will an extra year's shelter change Ukrainians' rights?All Saints Day Where can I experience All Saints' Day in SwedenHow is All Saints' Day marked in Sweden?__SURVEY: Share your feedbackJOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5 Nov 202231min
Racism in Sweden, and how welcome do foreigners feel after the election?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as US tech worker Kat Zhou, who found herself in the eye of a storm after posting about her experiences of racism in Sweden on Twitter. We also hear from Kash Haresamudram, a doctoral researcher in Lund who was one of more than 500 respondents to our survey on xenophobia in Sweden. You can read more about these stories on the links below.SURVEY: Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversityUS tech worker's account of racist abuse in Sweden goes viral'The response in Sweden is just incredibly racist and it proves my point'We also take a closer look at some of the stories making the news in Sweden this week: Deadly snake on the loose ... sort ofLost 17th century warship found in Sweden Sweden Democrats lose power in their flagship municipalityJimmie Åkesson leader not invited to Nobel celebrations27 seconds of spectacular silenceSix tips for selling property in Sweden's current housing market SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in FocusJOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 Okt 202243min
Does Sweden's new coalition deal threaten basic rights?
SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in FocusJOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer__In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. We also have expert commentary from labour policy expert Tove Hovemyr and human rights expert John Stauffer, legal director at Human Rights Watch. In this week's episode we dig into the makeup of the new government which was officially unveiled on Tuesday. We discuss who the new ministers are and the main talking points in the first week of Ulf Kristersson’s reign as prime minister.KEY POINTS: Everything you need to know about Sweden's new governmentWe also take a closer look at the government’s plans for work permits with the help of policy expert Tove Hovemyr.'Sweden's new migration policy will have a huge impact on competitiveness'EXPLAINED: Who will be affected by Sweden's new immigration policy?And and we speak to human rights law expert John Stauffer to examine whether the new coalition’s contract constitutes a threat to fundamental rights.INTERVIEW: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22 Okt 202237min
