• Sweden edition

Drunken chaos mars Walpurgis celebrations

Published: 1 May 11 09:51 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/33508/20110501/

Police in Uppsala responded to reports of rape, assault and drunken behaviour as they struggled to contain revellers during chaotic Walpurgis Night celebrations in the city on Saturday.

Some 90 people were detained for public intoxication, while a further five or six people were arrested for assault in the university city located 70 kilometres north of Stockholm.

"We're used to it, but there has been more than usual this year," said police officer Mats Öjedahl.

"It's chaos here. Aside from drunkenness, fighting and assault, we have had an attempted rape on Bellmansgatan where a woman was pulled into the bushes but managed to tear herself free."

Police in Stockholm also reported a busy shift on a night renowned for its annual excesses.

"There's an awful lot of drunkenness," said police officer Maria Hugols. "We've been picking up drunken youngsters all over the place."

However, police in many other parts of the country said the Walpurgis Night celebrations had not led to an upsurge in unruly behaviour.

"We thought it would be a lot worse," said police officer Ingemar Johansson in Gothenburg. "It has been fairly reasonable. There's been some drunkenness and fighting, but tell me a Walpurgis Night when there hasn't been fighting."

Police in Gotland were pleased that the situation on the Baltic Sea island appeared calmer than usual.

"It has absolutely been quieter than it usually is. A very good Walpurgis Night," said a spokesperson.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

12:20 May 1, 2011 by star10
Swedes can't party if they don't get drunk till they become unconscious. A typical Swede is either quite or drunk. I mean if a typical Swede speaks/sings laud, then he/she is drunk.
13:16 May 1, 2011 by jamesblish
Quite what?
13:30 May 1, 2011 by 15U
And they say that Russians are animals. I saw Valborg yesterday in Lund and concluded that Russian students and very intelligent and polite.
13:47 May 1, 2011 by Eagle63
Believe me, its much worse in the Netherlands; we just had our queens-day celebrations this weekend. I had a late shift driving a bus here, then you see how extremely bad-behaved the Dutch really are...

Can't wait to emigrate to Canada.....
14:10 May 1, 2011 by keepvogel
@Eagle63: As a dutchman living in Sweden I was happy to see that last night wasn't as bad as I was used to in the Netherlands.
14:16 May 1, 2011 by johnny1939
The idiots that get drunk publicly belong to an international order the same order that like to break bottles all over the place. Pox on them!!
14:48 May 1, 2011 by muscle
Oh come on they are not drunk... they are still dancing properly. :) They call themselves as drunk when they are unable to get up after drinking!!!!
15:00 May 1, 2011 by planet.sweden
"while a further five or sex people were arrested.."

I think the author needs to decide if they're writing in Swedish or English, or maybe they too had a rather wild Walpurgis Night celebration.
16:00 May 1, 2011 by Dazzler
I think they recycle this article every year.....
18:04 May 1, 2011 by Ribersborg1
"Police in Uppsala responded to reports of rape" ??? You're joking. After the treatment of Julian Assange I am to take in any way seriously the behavior of the Swedish state toward rape? I do not.

Sweden has no rape credibility remaining. The claims of Swedish women are shown to be mere political instruments. I cannot take them seriously.
19:07 May 1, 2011 by dammen
Just another usual Saturday night in Uppsala!
20:12 May 1, 2011 by Scorch
Aaah good old Walpurgis. Also called "the amateurs evening"
20:39 May 1, 2011 by zooeden
@star 10, that´s not true however...

I love the "reports of rape, assault and drunken behaviour " and police kinda knows about it... Of course there is nothing to do the rest of the year until valborg!!! So they go woohoo!!! Dont be alarm everybody!!!!
21:29 May 1, 2011 by SaraMx
@planet.sweden

Don't be too hard on the writers... It must be a huge responsability to report all of these relevant issues.
22:16 May 1, 2011 by krattan
In some strangely reccuring pattern every Swedish town turns into a viking village. About every weekend actually. A bit tiring with left behinds like throw-ups and pee in the escalator though.
22:49 May 1, 2011 by Ivan Juric
sounds like a normal Saturday night here in Melbourne
23:49 May 1, 2011 by Njal
H.P. Lovecraft always thought Walpurgis night was very significant, in his writings at least.
00:13 May 2, 2011 by jack sprat
Typical Swedish hooligans can't hold their liquor.

Glass and a half of shandy and they're legless.
00:49 May 2, 2011 by Smokebox
The same goes on every weekend up in Norland.
01:55 May 2, 2011 by lina2010
It was really a very nice and lovely celebration except the use of excess alcoholic drinks. I think such kind of drunkness is bad. We need to change it soon. It will paint a darker picture for the lively and lovely celebration.
07:19 May 2, 2011 by wabasha
you people sound so boring. let the young people have their fun. don't worry, they will be working, paying taxes and die just like the rest of us soon
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
New Swedish union boss seeks welfare state boost

New Swedish union boss seeks welfare state boost

Sweden's Trade Union Confederation on Saturday elected as its new president Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, who proceeded to call for a restoration of the Swedish welfare model. READ »

Swedes bask in record May highs

Swedes bask in record May highs

Swedes were enjoying a real taste of summer heat on Friday with thermometers indicated record highs in some areas of the country, with more of the same promised over the weekend. READ »

Swedish police hunt man for imam shooting

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man in connection with the shooting of an Uzbek imam in northern Sweden in February. READ »

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Sweden is set to host US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in early June and discussions will concern green energy, internet freedom, Afghanistan and the Middle East READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that he is happy at AC Milan and will honour his contract, while bemoaning the club's lack of financial muscle. READ »

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

A doll billed as a "real retard" found its way into stores in Gothenburg in western Sweden on Thursday, prompting strong reactions about a campaign meant to draw attention to the treatment of people with disabilities. READ (15 COMMENTS) »

Woman jailed for fatal love-triangle stabbing

A jealous Swedish woman who murdered her ex-boyfriend’s new partner in September has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. READ (14 COMMENTS) »

THE LOCAL LIST
Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

After having lived in Sweden for a certain number of years, many ex-pats start asking, “Am I going native or what?” Check out The Local's guide to tell-tale signs that you may be more integrated into Swedish society than you first realized. READ (18 COMMENTS) »

More National

Highlights from Follow Sweden

Meet Sanna, 9 years old

Sanna is one of 2 million people in Sweden under the age of 18. Sweden is seen as a good place to grow up. The law makes sure children are well-protected and defends their rights and any organizations work with children's well-being. Read more »

Strindberg, king of drama

August Strindberg's plays shocked society, dazzled audiences and revolutionized drama. A century after his death, Strindberg, with his powerful, timeless themes, is celebrated around the world. Read more »

 

Blog Update: Snuggling With the Enemy

20 May 17:38

The story of K Composite Magazine »

"I’m working on a couple long articles which will be posted here soon. While those are in the works, I thought I’d share this article and interview about my magazine, K Composite, which was recently published on the site Design-Milk.com. Enjoy! Scott Ritcher launched his now digitally glossy mag, K Composite, back when Macs were used..." READ »

Highlights
Thegreenj/Wikipedia (File)
OPINION »
Swedish journalist and columnist Ola Tedin to reflect on how a sometimes uncritical media appears to serve the interests of the Swedish state
Photo: Shayne Kaye/Flickr (file)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Nine of ten tourists 'happy' with Sweden
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
German ambassador Harald Kindermann
OPINION »
Harald Kindermann, the German ambassador to Sweden, talks to The Local about the importance of the German language, nuclear power, and the legacy of the Stasi.
Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's coverage of the baptism of Princess Estelle
Björn Tesch/Arbetsförmedlingen (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Sweden drifting from 'Swedish model': report
The Local Street Style - Lund
GALLERY »
The Local's Street Style from Lund, southern Sweden.
Olle Lindeborg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
The problem of profiting ex-politicos isn't simply money, money, money, argues contributor and historian David Linden
LIFESTYLE »
The Local catches up with Sweden’s comedian of the year Al Pitcher and preview our first ever “Local Lockdown” video segment.
Photo: Aprilbell.stock.xcbng.com
OPINION »
Sweden strips foreign doctoral candidates of the same rights as other tax-paying migrant workers, argue a group of doctoral candidates from the Royal Institute for Technology (KTH).
Marco Vasini/Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden looking for redemption at Euros
Chadawg24/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
'Are Swedes really more polite in English?'
Photo: Nikater
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Saxony with InterRail: a gateway to central Europe
Photo: AGS
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move
Photo: Poker Listings
SPONSORED ARTICLE
No Swedes Signed Up for Most Expensive Poker Tournament Ever
Photo: Jan Videgren
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Bergman blazed a trail for Swedish film
Photo: Contiki
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Ten great reasons to travel this summer
Photo: Stock image
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish university traditions make foreigners feel at home
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

lång

adjective

Lång means long, tall and can be used for height, distance or time.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the Swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION ON SWEDISH HIGH COAST
Comfortable Fully Serviced Apartments for Leisure or Business Travel Beautiful surroundings. Internet & Sat TV
www.oldriverhouse.se
Volunteer Venture
Volunteer Venture is dedicated to promoting community tourism by welcoming volunteers and travelers to discover the cultural differences in Nepal as English teaching volunteers, orphanage volunteers, Monk teachers and many more
www.volunteerventure.org/
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp