Before the joviality of cracking crusty crayfish has petered out, the ensuing fermented fish-scoffing fest of has come into full swing. We’re talking about the less well-known, more seldom celebrated <i>surströmming</i> party—well that is if you want to call the event of eating foul smelling herring a party.
In an attempt to debunk the myths surrounding those small, nasty, clawed creatures from the deeps of Sweden’s lakes and streams, the Swedish National Board of Fisheries has set up a new site focusing on the crayfish.
A humble bun stuffed with almond paste and whipped cream has become one of Sweden's most revered foods, with annual competitions, an academy - and even its own legislation.
It might be hard to see the point of having a national day if nobody celebrates, but it seems that many Swedes were distinctly unaffected by feelings of national pride on Sunday.
A government report has proposed that Sweden's national day, the 6th June, be made a full public holiday. But don't celebrate too soon - to make up for lost time, Whit Monday (this year on 31st May) will lose its holiday status.
