Sweden in Focus26 Apr 2025

Why Sweden celebrates spring with bonfires and songs

In this week's episode we talk about the possibility of there being a Swedish pope and the state of Catholicism in Sweden today. We also dive into the history of Sweden’s Valborg celebrations and why bonfires will be lit across Sweden on the last day of the month.

For Membership+ subscribers we jump forward a day to the first of May and what to expect on the public holiday that is Labour Day.

We discuss what to make of a recent burst of activity from the Social Democrats, the party most closely associated with May Day in Sweden.

Finally, with the deadline for filing taxes coming up next week, we give some last minute tips before checking out what readers of The Local are telling us are the most annoying things about Swedish bureaucracy.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Swedish traditions

What exactly is Swedish Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?

Religion

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