Swedish Theater
Stockholm, Sweden
Hej Hej and Välkommen till Sverige!
For my four week spring term class, I decided to study Swedish theater. It’s a change of pace from my normally science-packed schedule, but it’s been an unforgettable experience. We traveled to Sweden for our final three weeks of the course, and spent the first week learning about Swedish culture and the productions that we would see upon arrival. We saw multiple theater productions of all different levels and on all different topics. This included operas, musicals, and plays. In addition to theater, however, we got to learn so much about Swedish culture.
Swedish Culture
Relaxation and Repose
The Swedes know what it means to relax and take a break. As an American who is used to rushing through life and working nonstop, this was a bit of a culture shock at first. When you walk around Stockholm, you will witness people enjoying lunch in the park, a coffee in a cafe, or just soaking up the sunlight.
What is Fika?
The Swedes have even created a tradition for relaxation: Fika. Fika is a time during the day where one takes a coffee break with friends, family, or coworkers. It is a time to take your mind off work and destress. Fika is more than just an event, however. It represents a Swedish state of mind: Work isn’t life, it’s just a way to support life!
Summer Breaks?
Americans are infamous for not using all of their vacation time. The Swedes, on the other hand, certainly take advantage of all of their vacation days! Many Swedes take even multiple weeks off in the summer. This leads to a noticeable decrease in the number of active employees throughout Sweden, but it gives everyone a chance to enjoy the sunlight before it becomes a dark and cold winter again!
How is Theater Different in Sweden?
The Swedes use theater to share their political views more frequently than Americans. They aren’t afraid to express their beliefs through their art form.
One opera that we watched created by students at SADA, Stockholm Academy of the Dramatic Arts, commented on the direction of technology in the medical field. It served to warn Swedes of the harms of a technology-based healthcare system, as it showed a futuristic society with impersonal medical care in a birthing hospital.
We watched the classic play, “A Streetcar Named Desire”. This production had a drastically different ending than what most Americans are familiar with. The ending created a statement to show women’s power and promoted gender equality – an area of social policy where Sweden has progressed immensely.