Swedish national costume. Swedish folk costume: tradition and modernity. Religion and customs of the country

The country of Sweden is one of the oldest kingdoms in the entire world with a ruling monarchy. Law-abiding and patriotic Swedes annually celebrate one of the main holidays - the King's Birthday. A tourist will surely enjoy ancient castles, freshly baked blueberry pies, and invigorating coffee. Sweden offers a lot of opportunities to travel around the country and get to know the culture.

Sweden has a well-developed network of public transport and roads. If desired, a tourist can travel around the country, either by train, bus or river transport, or use the car rental service.

In large cities, buses are popular as a means of transportation. But, as for travel, in each city the bus service is divided into certain zones. Each zone has its own tariff, and in order to move from zone to zone, you must keep all tickets. The ticket can be bought both from the bus driver and at the bus stop.

In Sweden, intercity flights also operate. To get from one city to another by plane, this time will take no more than an hour.

If you want to save on intercity communication, tourists can use the railway. There is always a significant discount for rail transport. Children under 11 receive a 50% discount, and people under 26 can purchase tickets at a 30% discount.

Water transport in Sweden is so well developed that you can use it not only to travel around Swedish cities, but also to visit neighboring countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland, Great Britain, Latvia.

Every city in Sweden has a taxi system. Cars can always be recognized by the yellow color of the body. The fare leaves 8-10 kroons + 25 kroons for landing. Fares increase during the night and holiday periods.

Tourists can also use the car rental service. Rentals are only available to persons over the age of 18 with a credit card and an international driver's license.

For those who like to stroll slowly around the city, you can resort to renting a bicycle. In Sweden, many prefer a bicycle to a car, and the rules of the road provide for cycle lanes. The rental price per day is 50 CZK. A bike rental for the whole week - 200 kroons.

Electricity in the country

Electricity in Sweden is predominantly of European type. The voltage in the electrical network is 230V, with an alternating current frequency of 50 Hz. As a rule, the higher the voltage and the lower the frequency of the current, the more dangerous the voltage in the electrical network is classified. However, this type is the cheapest and most technically simple.

Sockets in Sweden are also of several types. There is an accepted European standard, as well as sockets with grounding. In any case, in hotels and inns, as well as in home appliance stores, special adapters are available for sale to ensure the safe use of household appliances.

Holidays in Sweden

In addition to the traditional day of Sweden, the New Year and various religious holidays, the country celebrates many interesting events that will clearly interest foreign tourists with their culture.

Take Midsummer Day, for example. It is celebrated on a special scale in mid-June. Sweden has a rather not hot climate, the summer is short but warm. By tradition, on this day, the Swedes tell fortunes, fate, and young girls tell fortunes about their future chosen one. Also, according to tradition, on a festive evening, you should not walk near lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, as an attractive young man can sit on the coast, who will lure people walking alone into the underwater world with the sounds of music. A traditional treat on Midsummer's Day is pickled herring with boiled new potatoes, red onions and sour cream.

Another exciting holiday that gourmets will definitely like is the Crayfish Festival in Malmö. In August, the legal season for catching crayfish opens. In the rivers they arrange a mass capture of arthropods, and then, on the shore, they arrange a feast, during which the caught catch is cooked on fires and grills. The festival of crayfish lasts for a week. The holiday is accompanied by fireworks and musical parades. Swedes wear hats and aprons at the festival.

After the New Year holidays, the feast of St. Knut comes to Sweden (emphasis on "u"). This holiday symbolizes the end of ceremonial events. On this day, it is customary to put things in order in the house, and get rid of the crumbling yellowed Christmas tree. According to tradition, the Swedes make a human-sized scarecrow out of straw, dress the scarecrow in clothes and lean it against the front door of the neighbors. Leaving the house, the Swede meets with a scarecrow, which has a note: "The whip has come, Christmas has gone, do not let him stand, throw it to the neighbor again."

National clothes in Sweden

The national clothes of Sweden have similar features with other historical costumes of Europeans. Women wore white blouses with long sleeves, long skirts and waistcoats, with lacing. Men wore matching women long-sleeve white shirts, waistcoats and knee-high cropped trousers.

But, she was in the national clothes of Sweden and her own peculiarity. Clothing colors, embroidery, and other details differed from county to county. By clothing, it was always possible to find out from which region of the country a person came. As a rule, the clothes of women were similar to those of men. The similarity corresponded in color, material and decorative elements.

The classic national costume was created from blue and yellow materials, which, when combined, resemble the Swedish flag. The skirt and vest are made of blue fabric, and the apron - one of the central things of the general image of the Swede - is made of yellow fabric. All kinds of embroidery and metal embellishments complete the look. The men's suit has a blue vest and yellow trousers. This type of national dress of Sweden appeared in the 1900s.

There are festive national clothes in the wardrobe of the Swedes. The color scheme of the festive folk costume of Sweden is red. Vests and aprons are richly embroidered.

In winter, men wore a sheepskin coat sewn at the waist. In the cold, on long journeys, the man wore sheepskin tans and aprons. Long jackets were worn in spring and summer. In general, men's clothing resembles the national clothes of the Estonian peoples, especially the northern regions.

Women in winter also wore sheepskin clothes, and in spring and summer they preferred elongated coats made of cloth.

Today, national clothes are practically not used by the Swedes in everyday life. In some parts of the country, costumes are worn on public holidays, sometimes they are used to create a traditional atmosphere, for example, in tourist areas or in cafes and restaurants.

National cuisine in Sweden

The national cuisine of Sweden has absorbed all the centuries-old traditions of the state. Dishes of national cuisine are simple, but at the same time they have an invariable taste.

The Swedes put sugar in almost all dishes, and use lingonberry syrup or jam as the main sauce for anything.

Potatoes, like rice in Asian countries, are the main dish and side dish. In many restaurants today, tourists are also offered a choice of rice or pasta, as a side dish, in order to diversify the treats. Mushrooms fried with onions and cream are also often used as a side dish or snack.

A delicacy in Sweden is salmon and venison meat. Game is one of the common dishes in Sweden. Here they serve hazel grouse, black grouse, capercaillie. As for fish, this product is used to create fillings for pies, minced fish and meatballs.

The Swedes pay special attention to the festive Christmas dinner. For a festive feast, pork legs in vegetables, potato casseroles with onions and cream are prepared. And for dessert they offer rice pudding. According to tradition, one of the puddings should contain an almond. The guest who gets the walnut pudding will have good luck for the next year - this is the folk sign of Sweden.

Thursdays in Sweden are traditionally soup day. The most popular soup is a thick pea stew with onions and pork. There are also more unusual soups, for example, goose broth soup with liquor, blood, cognac and spices. Often oatmeal and dumplings are added to the soup.

The main traditional snacks in Sweden are all kinds of cheeses and simple herring dishes, which are boiled, stewed, marinated with various seasonings and additives.

As for sweets, in Sweden they are called kaffebbred, since according to the rules, it is customary to drink all kinds of goodies with coffee. Speaking of sweets, again I want to remember potatoes. A traditional treat is sweet potato casserole. You should also pay attention to pies made from crumbly dough with blueberries, rhubarb, apples. As a light dessert, you can try waffles with ice cream.

From drinks Swedes prefer milk and coffee. Also, sparkling water with various additives is popular: lime, lemon, caramel, apple, orange, and so on.

Religion and customs of the country

The Swedes are one of the slowest people. It's not that they move slowly, but rather that they're not in a rush to get anywhere by and large. For example, in Russia, a child at 1.5 years old is weaned from a pacifier and taught to use a potty, while Swedish children freely ride in a stroller without removing the pacifier until they are 4 years old. Russian schoolchildren graduate from a secondary educational institution at the age of 17, while Swedish schoolchildren receive a matriculation certificate only at the age of 21.

The Swedes believe that a child should not be deprived of childhood, they can perfectly realize the moment “when” it is necessary to grow up.

The Swedes have a strong understanding of what should not be done and what should be done. For example, in the family it is customary to pamper children with sweets only on weekends, which means that it will be so. Yes, and the children themselves, knowing the rules, will not ask for treats on weekdays.

Swedes are not averse to having fun and having a good time, however, you will never meet a Swede who spontaneously decides to go to a drinking establishment with friends and “squander” an unspecified amount of money in an evening. The Swedes prepare for any event from fishing to visiting or going to a cafe in advance. At the same time, calculating the possible costs.

When arranging a meeting, the Swedes like to plan everything for the “near future”. For example, the Swede will offer to meet in a couple of weeks, and this is not because everything is scheduled for the near future, but only because it is customary - this is a semblance of maintaining the right tone.

The Swedes are especially zealous about what they say. If they are not 100% sure they will keep their promise, they will refuse to provide the service. Words have special weight in Sweden. Here it is not customary to write off the failure to fulfill an obligation or promise due to forgetfulness, or health, weather conditions, etc. This applies not only to business, but even to a banal friendly meeting in a cafe.

If we talk about recreation, then the Swedes often travel around the country, and very rarely go abroad. The traditional holiday for the year is five weeks, of this time, one week is left for the winter to ski and snowboard, and the rest of the vacation time is spent in the summer. Summer in Sweden is neither hot nor long, so during the summer months the Swedes are drawn to nature, to live on the shores of lakes in campsites or summer houses. By the way, nature is more important for the Swedes. In every city there are many green areas where you can spend time, relax on a comfortable bench and admire the pond and blooming flowers.

Today, equality reigns between men and women in Sweden. Women are increasingly working while their spouses are at home with small children. Women, along with men, can extend their hand for a handshake when meeting.

Rules of conduct in Sweden

Sweden can be called a country of Christian denominations. Most of the population professes the Lutheran faith. However, other religious denominations are not prohibited here either.

However, religious belief influenced the traditions and customs accepted in society. For example, a talkative tourist will be very crowded in the company of the Swedes. According to etiquette, it is not customary to talk about yourself, your problems and affairs in a conversation.

In Sweden, equality between the sexes is accepted, therefore, if a woman in a company holds out her hand for a handshake, one should show her courtesy in this.

If you are invited to visit, or to a picnic, or fishing, do not fuss and report that you are ready for the trip. The Swedes approach everything scrupulously. To begin with, they decide on a specific vacation spot, learn about all the details, make a shopping list and plan the amount that they will spend on vacation. Once everything is planned and scheduled by the hour, you can hit the road.

You should not litter on the streets, there are serious penalties for polluting the streets and the environment in Sweden. Swedes appreciate the beauty of nature. Their favorite resting place is parks and green alleys where you can admire the lake or pond.

You can always be sure that the Swedes are telling the truth. Honesty is part of the Swedish mentality. The Swedes are extremely law-abiding, and if there is a sign in the deep forest with the inscription to leave money for staying in the green zone, the Swedes will definitely pay according to the price list. The Swedes believe that obedience to the law is beneficial to Swedish society as a whole. The Swedes expect similar behavior from tourists.

Entertainment in Sweden

Sweden offers a lot of entertainment to the guests of the country. Tourists can go shopping, or spend time on the shores of a crystal clear lake, go traveling to ancient towns and local attractions.

It is worth noting that the Swedes themselves prefer to spend their holidays and travel within the country, visiting various cities, and natural parks, nature reserves, and relaxing in nature.

Tourists will also enjoy such entertainment as picnics, relaxing on the lake in a summer house, horseback riding and cycling.

One of the attractions will appeal to those who have long wanted to go on a real trip on a raft along the river. The tour is for three days. Rafting is carried out on the river Clarelven. Tourists will raft under the guidance of an experienced specialist, but, first of all, they will make their own raft out of timber!

In addition to outdoor activities, of course, tourists can count on all kinds of attractions.

Tourists are advised to visit the National Park - safari Kolmorden, where you can see wild animals in their natural habitat. You can get around the park by car, an experienced guide will take you to all the park attractions. In the Park you can see tigers, elephants, camels, dolphins and other amazing animals.

Tourists should visit the observation deck Ericsson Globe, which is located in Stockholm. It is one of the city's most imposing technological landmarks. Also, the observation deck is the city's sports palace.

Or a visit to the Skansen ethnographic museum, which is located in the open air - what is not entertainment.

Difference in time

The time difference with Sweden depends on what time zone the tourist is in. It will be much easier for tourists from Moscow to adapt to the time zone change, since the difference with Stockholm is only 3 hours, but for tourists from Vladivostok, it will be more difficult to adjust their usual biological clock, since the time difference with Stockholm is 10 hours!

Time difference with Sweden (Stockholm) - Moscow +3 hours
Time difference with Sweden (Stockholm) - Novosibirsk +6 hours
Time difference with Sweden (Stockholm) - Vladivostok +10 hours
Time difference with Sweden (Stockholm) – Yekaterinburg +5 hours

Flight time to Sweden

Tourists can get to Sweden, the capital of the country Stockholm in two ways, if we consider air travel. From Moscow to Stockholm there are both direct flights and flights with transfers.

As a rule, direct flights are more expensive, but at the same time, the tourist spends a minimum amount of time to get to his destination. For example, asking the question how long it takes to fly to Sweden from Moscow, the answer will be very simple - about 2 hours.

Having made a choice in favor of a flight with transfers, the tourist chooses a cheaper, budget option, but at the same time, the travel time increases. With transfers, the flight time from Moscow to Stockholm increases to 5-6 hours.

Flights to Sweden are operated at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. Which can be reached from the Belorussky railway station by purchasing a ticket (320 rubles) for the Aeroexpress. Bus services will be cheaper, and when ordering a taxi, you will have to pay an amount of 700 rubles.

"A beloved child has many names," says a Swedish proverb. About the same can be said about the traditional Swedish costume. At first glance, it will seem that the same clothes that have many different names. Folkdrekt, Landskapsdrekt, Sokkedrekt, Bygdedrekt or Hembygdsdrekt, Heradsdrekt. National costume, Provincial costume, Costume of a certain province or, for example, Folkdanscostumer, folk dance costumes. This article will focus on the GENERAL NATIONAL SWEDISH COSTUME (Allmenna svenska nachunaldrekten) ... In the photo above - a typical Swedish national costume - din Svenska Drekt (Your Swedish costume) He was "designed" Mertha Jorgensen in 1903. Märtha Jørgensen (Palme) (1874-1967) was the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur from Norrköping. In 1900, she becomes a gardener's apprentice and ends up in the royal residence of Tulgarn, in the province of Södermanland. In this castle, she saw Princess Victoria of Baden-Baden. The future queen tried to demonstrate belonging to the new national culture and wore folk-style costumes - variations of the costumes of the parishes of Wingoker and Esteroker, as well as variations of the traditional costume of the inhabitants of the island of Öland. The ladies of the court wore the same dresses. This was the inspiration for Merta Palme, the impetus for the creation of a women's national costume.

Already in 1901, she was looking for like-minded people in order to realize the main idea - to create a national costume and distribute it in wide circles. In 1902, Merta Jorgensen created the Swedish Women's National Costume Association (SVENSKA KVINNLIGA NATIONALDRÄKTSFÖRENINGEN). The task of the society was to reform clothing. In contrast to the French fashion, it was necessary to create a new dress, designed in accordance with the principles of practicality, hygiene, and, most importantly, the original “Swedishness”. "Why shouldn't we be wearing our fine peasant costumes?" writes Martha Jorgensen. So, the set was created..

Merta described her creation as follows: the costume was designed in accordance with the principles of perception by different people, but naturally within reasonable limits. This meant that the Svenska Drekt din could come in two designs.

So a very beautiful women's outfit was created, which included a skirt and bodice, which are distinguished by an intense blue color. Wool was an obligatory material for such a suit, but an option with a red bodice was also assumed. A yellow apron, combined with a blue skirt, was supposed to symbolize the Swiss flag. The bodice must be decorated with embroidery, which would reflect the rich national past. The skirt and bodice could be either sewn or dressed separately. A mandatory attribute of the costume was a belt, which was distinguished by a silver buckle. But at the bottom of the skirt was a wide edging, the same color as the bodice of the suit. The shirt, as planned by Jorgensen, must necessarily include a wide collar, and the headdress should be distinguished by its special whiteness. But the color of stockings and shoes is black, the other was not welcome.

The original design adopted was a skirt with a laced waistcoat as separate pieces.

The second option, adopted later, is a short bodice and skirt worn together, a design from Wingoker County.

The skirt and bodice are Swedish blue or the skirt is blue, and the bodice is bright red, with national embroidery reflecting the rich national past. The blue and yellow color (apron) made of wool should be a subdued color of the Swedish flag (not such a bright color of modern materials). The apron was the main and central part of the costume, sewn from linen, cotton, crepe or silk. They also wore bright aprons, caps trimmed with lace and thin woolen shawls on their shoulders.
Of the jewelry, preference was given to large round silver brooches.

The men's costume consisted of tight yellow or green short (just below the knees) trousers, long woolen stockings, thick-soled shoes with large metal buckles, a short cloth or suede jacket, a vest with metal buttons, and a characteristic woolen knitted cap with pom-poms.

The bright colors of the Swedish flag, according to Merta, are exactly what the entire Swedish people needed. They had an invigorating effect on national sentiments and contrasted beautifully with the deep colors of Swedish nature - green pine forests and cold white snow. With a suit it is supposed to wear one of two headdresses, black stockings, if there is no red color in the suit, then red stockings. Shoes preferably with straps or laces, black, never yellow.

Thanks to the efforts of Merta Jørgensen, artists Gustav Ankarkron, Anders Zorn and Karl Larsson, the SWEDISH NATIONAL COSTUME was designed and presented as a standard in 1903 in Falun (county of Dalarna). The colors of the garments were borrowed from the national Swedish flag. However, the costume has been universally approved as the National Costume, having actually been around since the 1900s, after Her Majesty Queen Silvia wore it on June 6 National Day in 1983.

And simple girls... and princesses wear national clothes!

Forgotten, it was, after the First World War, the costume began to revive in the eighties of the last century. Such a costume has not completely lost its fans: the Swedes wear it on national holidays. Also, this outfit can boast of its amazing luxury at beauty contests. The most attractive thing about this costume is that it reflects Sweden, it is full of the colors of the national flag and symbolic embroidery. And the very fact that it is still a symbol of this rich country speaks of its magnificence.

It is worn by ordinary citizens ... and princesses ...

Both old and young... Traditions continue to live!

In the studies of modern scientists, there is a tendency to consider the folk costume as an instrument for the formation of national identity. Politics adapts popular culture to the requirements of the time, creates new traditions. So artificially created in the 18th century, the kilt and checkered fabric - "plaid" became integral attributes of Scotland.

The situation is similar with "national costumes" in European countries. Sweden is no exception in this respect. Interest in the folk costume in this country is associated, on the one hand, with an interest in the past, and on the other hand, it has completely different functions, embodies “Swedishness”. This is especially true for the Swedish national costume, although the main principle in its creation was a return to the past.

Sverigedräkt is the national costume of Sweden.

The turn of the century for Sweden is not an easy time. National romanticism is the main trend in art, one of the main issues is the question of identity, “who are we?”.

Sverigedräkt was created as a common costume for the women of Sweden and Norway, which were part of the union at that time. The creator of this costume is Merta Jorgensen.

Märtha Jørgensen (Palme) (1874-1967) was the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur from Norrköping. In 1900, she becomes a gardener's apprentice and ends up in the royal residence of Tulgarn, in the province of Södermanland. In this castle, she saw Princess Victoria of Baden-Baden. The future queen tried to demonstrate belonging to the new national culture and wore folk-style costumes - variations of the costumes of the parishes of Wingoker and Esteroker, as well as variations of the traditional costume of the inhabitants of the island of Öland. The ladies of the court wore the same dresses. This was the inspiration for Merta Palme, the impetus for the creation of a women's national costume.

After her marriage, Martha Jørgensen moved to Falun (Dalarna Province), where she taught at the Falun Crafts Seminary (Seminariet för de husliga konsterna Falu). Already in 1901, she was looking for like-minded people to bring to life the main idea - to create a national costume and distribute it in wide circles. In 1902, Merta Jorgensen created the Swedish Women's National Costume Association (SVENSKA KVINNLIGA NATIONALDRÄKTSFÖRENINGEN). The first two statutes of the society come out in 1904. The task of the society was to reform clothing. In contrast to the French fashion, it was necessary to create a new dress, designed in accordance with the principles of practicality, hygiene, and, most importantly, the original “Swedishness”. The national costume, according to the founder of the society, was to replace the French dress. Members of the society had to instill the idea of ​​wearing a national costume in life by their own example.

The national costume was "designed" by Martha Jorgensen. His description is in her own article in the Idun newspaper. The skirt and bodice (lifstycke) had to be sewn from woolen fabric and be of blue "Swedish" color, a variant with a bright red bodice is also possible. The apron is yellow, together with the blue skirt it symbolizes the flag. On the bodice there is embroidery, which is a floral motif, which is a stylization (probably of motifs of folk costumes). The skirt could be of two types. Either a regular skirt at the waist, midjekjol, or livkjol (skirt and bodice are sewn, more like a sundress), characteristic of the costume of the Wingoker parish in Södermanland. However, according to the creator, "sverigedräkt" is not a damaged copy of the "Wingoker" costume, but a completely new phenomenon. For the second option, you need a homespun belt with a silver clasp. Along the edge of the skirt there should be a piping of the same color with the bodice, 6 cm wide. The headdress should be white, the white shirt should be with a wide collar. Stockings should only be black, the same applies to the color of shoes.

It is known that the creator herself always wore only her own costume, and did this until her death in 1967. After her death, the phenomenon of the “national costume” was forgotten.

In the studies of modern scientists, there is a tendency to consider the folk costume as an instrument for the formation of national identity. Politics adapts popular culture to the requirements of the time, creates new traditions. So artificially created in the 18th century, the kilt and checkered fabric - "plaid" became integral attributes of Scotland.

The situation is similar with "national costumes" in European countries. Sweden is no exception in this respect. Interest in the folk costume in this country is associated, on the one hand, with an interest in the past, and on the other hand, it has completely different functions, embodies “Swedishness”. This is especially true for the Swedish national costume, although the main principle in its creation was a return to the past.

Sverigedräkt is the national costume of Sweden.

The turn of the century for Sweden is not an easy time. National romanticism is the main trend in art, one of the main issues is the question of identity, “who are we?”.

Sverigedräkt was created as a common costume for the women of Sweden and Norway, which were part of the union at that time. The creator of this costume is Merta Jorgensen.

Märtha Jørgensen (Palme) (1874-1967) was the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur from Norrköping. In 1900, she becomes a gardener's apprentice and ends up in the royal residence of Tulgarn, in the province of Södermanland. In this castle, she saw Princess Victoria of Baden-Baden. The future queen tried to demonstrate belonging to the new national culture and wore folk-style costumes - variations of the costumes of the parishes of Wingoker and Esteroker, as well as variations of the traditional costume of the inhabitants of the island of Öland. The ladies of the court wore the same dresses. This was the inspiration for Merta Palme, the impetus for the creation of a women's national costume.

After her marriage, Martha Jørgensen moved to Falun (Dalarna Province), where she taught at the Falun Crafts Seminary (Seminariet för de husliga konsterna Falu). Already in 1901, she was looking for like-minded people to bring to life the main idea - to create a national costume and distribute it in wide circles. In 1902, Merta Jorgensen created the Swedish Women's National Costume Association (SVENSKA KVINNLIGA NATIONALDRÄKTSFÖRENINGEN). The first two statutes of the society come out in 1904. The task of the society was to reform clothing. In contrast to the French fashion, it was necessary to create a new dress, designed in accordance with the principles of practicality, hygiene, and, most importantly, the original “Swedishness”. The national costume, according to the founder of the society, was to replace the French dress. Members of the society had to instill the idea of ​​wearing a national costume in life by their own example.

The national costume was "designed" by Martha Jorgensen. His description is in her own article in the Idun newspaper. The skirt and bodice (lifstycke) had to be sewn from woolen fabric and be of blue "Swedish" color, a variant with a bright red bodice is also possible. The apron is yellow, together with the blue skirt it symbolizes the flag. On the bodice there is embroidery, which is a floral motif, which is a stylization (probably of motifs of folk costumes). The skirt could be of two types. Either a regular skirt at the waist, midjekjol, or livkjol (skirt and bodice are sewn, more like a sundress), characteristic of the costume of the Wingoker parish in Södermanland. However, according to the creator, "sverigedräkt" is not a damaged copy of the "Wingoker" costume, but a completely new phenomenon. For the second option, you need a homespun belt with a silver clasp. Along the edge of the skirt there should be a piping of the same color with the bodice, 6 cm wide. The headdress should be white, the white shirt should be with a wide collar. Stockings should only be black, the same applies to the color of shoes.

It is known that the creator herself always wore only her own costume, and did this until her death in 1967. After her death, the phenomenon of the “national costume” was forgotten.

Swedish food is very varied. It varies depending on social, economic and natural conditions. But in the range of dishes, in the methods of their preparation and in the mode of nutrition, there is much in common for the whole country.

Bread is consumed both purchased and baked. Peasants bake rye sour or sour-sweet bread in the form of large round or oval loaves, often with the addition of cumin, anise and other spices. In addition, all kinds of cakes are baked from unleavened rye or barley dough in such quantities that they last for several months. Cakes are strung on a thin pole and stored in pantries. They also eat dry and hard rye bread, the so-called knackebrodet . It can be stored for a long time without losing its taste. Wheat bread is rarely consumed in the villages. For the holidays, both in cities and in rural areas, various buns, curly gingerbread, cookies, pretzels, puddings, bagels, pancakes, pancakes, and dracheny are prepared.

A variety of soups are cooked from barley, semolina, rice groats, with dumplings, and also from flour. Soups are seasoned with milk, or boiled in meat broth.

Peasants eat meat dishes mainly during field spring and harvest work, as well as on holidays and on Sundays. For the holidays, the peasants prepare various types of sausages, mostly from pork and lamb. Sausages are richly seasoned with caraway seeds, peppers, and onions. It is eaten boiled, smoked, salted and fried. Often they cook blood sausage ( palt , paltbrod ) from the fresh blood of slaughtered domestic animals, to which rye flour, a small amount of meat, syrup and various seasonings are added. After the slaughter of livestock, meat is prepared for the future: most of it is salted, sometimes smoked.

Soups or cabbage soup are prepared from meat. Pork is fried and eaten most often with tortillas, boiled and stewed meat with potatoes or other side dishes are also eaten. Cold boiled meat, mainly veal, is served as an appetizer. Boiled veal, heated in milk or lard, seasoned with pepper and sometimes white flour, is eaten with potatoes. Jellies are prepared from fresh pork and veal meat. A special dish is prepared from the liver: the boiled liver is cut into pieces, meat broth, salt, pepper and other seasonings are added to it to taste. In the last century, neighbors used to invite each other to try this dish. Snacks are usually prepared from poultry meat. In forested areas, the meat of wild birds and hares is consumed.

Butter and lard come from fats in food. The peasants churn the butter themselves.

The dairy food of the Swedes is varied. This is a curd mass seasoned with spices, cheese, curdled milk. Milk is drunk separately and with coffee, eaten with cereals, soups, potatoes, tortillas. Cream made from fresh milk, salted and seasoned with cumin, is eaten with potatoes.

Various cheeses are prepared from milk - mostly hard, less often soft. They are made from fresh and sour milk with the addition of salt and cumin. In each locality, cheese differs in its own characteristics - in density, aroma and other properties. Festive cheeses are prepared in patterned wooden molds. Cheese is often eaten as a light snack between breakfast and lunch, or between lunch and dinner.

The favorite non-alcoholic drink of Swedes both in the city and in the countryside is coffee, which is drunk several times a day. Tea is drunk relatively little. They drink a lot of beer. Residents of rural areas brew it themselves from barley malt.

Swedish workers and peasants usually eat three times a day. For breakfast, they prepare porridge (on ordinary days - most often barley), eggs, sandwiches with butter and cheese, and coffee. Porridge is eaten with milk, honey, syrup, lingonberry juice.

Lunch consists of two or three courses and drinks (coffee, beer). For the first, soup or cabbage soup is prepared. Soup is most often boiled barley, with the addition of wheat flour and milk, with dumplings in meat broth, bean, pea, potato. On ordinary days, cabbage soup is often prepared from fresh cabbage, richly seasoned with caraway seeds. Sometimes they are boiled with meat and a small amount of cereals. Cook vegetable soups from potatoes, rutabaga, carrots, onions, peppers with meat or milk, as well as sweet soups from fruits (apples, pears, plums) with the addition of a small amount of flour and milk. In winter, fresh frozen vegetables and fruits are consumed in large quantities.

The fishing population usually has fish soups (cod, herring, pike, herring, eel and other fish) with potatoes, potato dumplings, cereals or flour.

Milk soups with semolina or rice, or potato meat soup are often prepared for the festive table.

The second lunch dish is most often potatoes. It generally occupies a large place in the diet of the Swedes, both as an independent dish and as a side dish. These are mashed potatoes with milk, stewed potatoes seasoned with white flour, sugar, eggs and butter, fried potatoes, potato dumplings with bacon and other dishes. Porridge for lunch is eaten less often than potatoes.

In some areas (Bohuslän and others), the preparation of second courses from beans and peas is widespread. The beans are stewed and eaten with milk, or boiled and stewed with pork and then eaten with sauce. On the island of Föhr, in Norland and elsewhere, rutabagas and turnips are also served for lunch, prepared in a variety of ways.

Almost every day on the second or third they eat various mousses and creams (all of them are called « rogrod »), and in those places where there are fruits and berries, all kinds of jelly.

In the evening, most often they eat porridge with milk, pancakes made from flour or grated raw potatoes, and drink coffee.

The festive table differs from the everyday one in a wide variety of flour products and dishes, as well as in the preparation of some traditional dishes. So, for Christmas they cook rice porridge with raisins, roast goose, apple cake and sweet beer. On Midsummer Day in some areas they cook swede with meat and various spices.

For weddings, christenings and funerals, a special porridge is prepared from white flour in milk, with the addition of sugar, cinnamon, and almonds. Then the porridge, which has not yet cooled down, is placed in a wooden mold with beautiful carvings; when the porridge has cooled and thickened, it is overturned on a large pewter dish and taken out to the guests. On holidays, various figured cakes are baked from thick dough made from white flour, milk, potatoes, eggs and sugar, as well as pancakes, pancakes, and dracheny. A festive treat is not complete without different varieties of sausage.

The Swedish household is characterized by a large number of porcelain, earthenware and wooden utensils. Aluminum, iron, glass and birch utensils are also used. Wooden utensils and utensils are especially specific to the northern regions of Sweden. These are cups with saucers, bowls, tubs, troughs, bottles, all kinds of strainers, kegs of various shapes and sizes. Many of them (bowls, cups, saucers, kegs - especially for wine) are often decorated with carved or painted ornaments.

clothing

Ancient clothes were worn everywhere in Sweden until the middle of the 19th century. But from that time on, pan-European cuts began to spread there, and the national specifics of clothing, especially urban ones, began to be somewhat smoothed out.

The most steadfast folk clothing was preserved in the Dalarna region. where it is still worn on holidays. Swedish folk clothing was quite diverse, but local differences mainly concerned its color, the nature of embroidery and other decorations, and women's headdresses. In addition to the usual costume, there were special costumes for different occasions: festive, wedding, funeral. Clothing also differed according to age and social characteristics.

The main elements of the Swedish folk costume were common to all regions of the country.

The men's folk costume consisted of a linen shirt ( skjort ) with a standing collar, wide sleeves and gussets (a festive and wedding shirt was decorated with lace and embroidery around the collar and cuffs); jackets ( troja , jcicka ) from thick woolen fabric, with a low standing collar and two rows of buttons, often decorated around the collar, cuffs and hem with a border of a material of a different color; vest ( vdsten ) made of cloth or suede with buttons on the chest (the vest is worn under the jacket); pants to the knees<Ьухог), а в некоторых местах Швеции - длинных; фетровой или соломенной шляпы (hatt ), caps ( kciskett ) or a knitted wool cap. One-color or striped woolen stockings were worn on the legs, tied with woolen laces at the knees, and leather shoes, boots or boots were worn on them.

In some areas of the regions of Österjötland, Dalarna and others, a long frock coat was worn instead of a jacket ( falltroja ).

In winter, men wore long sheepskin coats sewn into the waist. On a long journey, he put on sheepskin trousers and a sheepskin apron, a coat and a sheepskin coat. Long woolen jackets were worn in spring and autumn (rock).

It is noteworthy that the men's clothing of the Swedes is very similar to the clothing of the population of the Estonian islands and northern Estonia.

An old women's shirt with long sleeves ( sarken, Dansark, lin- tyg) sewn from white linen. It consisted of two parts: the top (overdelssar) and bottom ( nerdelssark), sewn from a coarser matter than the top. Over the shirt he put on a linen blouse ( overdel), usually embroidered on the chest and collar, and a corsage (snorliv) from cloth. Women wore a wide long skirt (kjol) from one-color wool or wool mixture (red, green, dark blue and other colors) or striped. It was gathered up and often sewn to the bodice at the back. aprons (forklade) sewn from woolen fabric (bright red, yellow, blue or striped). For a women's costume, a belt made of colored wool with large tassels and an embroidered pocket attached to it was obligatory. A large scarf was thrown over the shoulders.

Women's traditional costume is characterized by headdresses made of cotton or silk fabric in the form of a cap or cap. (hatta,lurkan) and a headdress with a cone-shaped straw frame covered with cloth (usually worn by married women), as well as knitted woolen caps. Caps with a frill of lace and knitted hats are typical of central and northern Sweden, while in the south white scarves were common, tied in various ways and often forming headdresses of bizarre shapes.

On their feet over woolen or paper stockings, women put on leather shoes in summer. Now in summer they also wear slippers, sandals, and in winter, as before, felt boots.

In cool summer weather, a long-sleeved cloth jacket or shoulder-length clothing was worn over a blouse and corsage. The jacket was sewn to the waist. On the collar, on the chest, cuffs and along the hem, it was sheathed with ribbon or decorated with embroidery. Such jackets are also worn in the Baltic States. On the Estonian islands of Tarvast and Kun, they had the same cut as the Swedish ones. The same jackets existed in Finland and Karelia. Shoulder wear ( tdpa , vessel , fris ) consisted of one or more sewn pieces of matter. This ancient clothing was used in many countries of Western Europe, as well as in Norway, Finland, and the Baltic states.

In winter, women wore thicker clothes than in summer, and sheepskin coats. In autumn, both women and men wore a coat (karra), most often made of cloth.

Festive clothes differed from everyday clothes in a brighter color, elegant border and were embroidered.

Mourning clothes were dark, most often black, with the exception of an apron and a female headdress. The apron was white or yellow and the headdress was white. The dead are buried in ordinary clothes.

Knitted woolen sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, stockings are now widely used in everyday wear both in the city and in the countryside. It is customary to give gloves and mittens as a sign of love and respect.