Sweden in Focus10 Dec 2025

'I hate to be stereotypical but the light in northern Sweden is amazing'

In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, we hear from the Umeå-based Canadian writer. Mandy Pipher about what it's been like moving to Umeå in northern Sweden.

Mandy wrote recently in an article for The Local about the ignorance and prejudices people from Norrland often face about a region that makes up more than half of Sweden’s surface area.

We wanted to catch up with her to find out more about why she moved to Umeå and what kind of reactions she has had when telling people about her move to northern Sweden.

She also talks about the complicated history underpinning many southerners' preconceived notions about a part of the country she describes as 'magical' in many respects.

Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Mandy Pipher.

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