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The Swedish National Youth Orchestra performs at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland on Friday, Jan. 27

Posted by Susanna at 11:51 AM, Jan 27, 2012 (Comments)

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THE SWEDISH National Youth Orchestra - consisting of Sweden's top young musicians - will give a unique performance on Friday, January 27 at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD at 8:00 p.m. For free tickets: micheleanenbergpoma@me.com.

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Swedish-American Cultural Union Luncheon in Washington with GWU Professor Dr. Anna Helm and Students

Posted by Susanna at 12:43 PM, Jan 26, 2012 (Comments)

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Dr. Robert Dyer, professor of marketing at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; Ms. Nina Lahijanian; Mr. Matthew Williams; Nils Bruzelius, chair of SACU (Swedish-American Cultural Union); Mr. Bilal Afzal; Dr. Anna Helm, assistant professor of international business at George Washington University; Maja Persson, manager at SACC-DC (The Washington Chapter of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce).

DR. ANNA HELM, assistant professor of international business at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and her students Mr. Bilal Afzal, Ms. Nina Lahijanian and Mr. Matthew Williams, presented the results of a recent project at the university's Global Masters of Business Program at a Swedish-American Cultural Union (SACU) luncheon in Washington.

UNDER THE auspices of the program, students developed marketing strategies for Swedish companies that offer "clean" technology products or services, and that want to expand their business to the United States.

THE PROGRAM WAS done with the cooperation of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, which nominated and screened member firms to be clients for the students. Dr. Helm presented the background of the project and how the course was organized and executed. Mr. Afzal, Ms. Lahijanian and Mr. Williams - three of the 19 students in the project - presented the results of their marketing research and how their Swedish company responded to the help.

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Washington real estate developer Alan Novak receives the Insignia of Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star at the Swedish Ambassador's Residence in the U.S. Capital

Posted by Susanna at 10:17 AM, Jan 24, 2012 (Comments)

Category: Events

Washington real estate developer Alan Novak, who received the Insignia of Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star, and his wife Kate Novak.

WASHINGTON real estate developer Alan Novak was awarded the Insignia of Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström at a buffet reception at the Ambassador's residence on Nebraska Ave. in Northwest Washington on Monday evening, Jan. 23. Mr. Novak was instrumental in helping the Swedish government acquire the plot of land next to the Potomac River in Georgetown, where the new Swedish Embassy and the House of Sweden was built in 2006. That prime location has played a significant role in the success of the Embassy and the House of Sweden as one of Washington's preeminent venues for leadership business, social and educational events.

AMONG THE many guests who enjoyed the delicious buffet in the beautiful residence were former Swedish vice prime-minister and former leader of the Centrist Party Maud Olofsson; Lars Thunell, Executive Vice President and CEO of IFC (International Finance Corporation) at the World Bank, and his wife Yvonne Thunell, chair of Mentor International; Swedish daily Göteborgs-Posten's Senior Reporter Britt-Marie Mattsson and her husband Professor Sören Holmberg, Gothenburg University; Ambassador Claudia Fritsche of Liechtenstein; and The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Allan Sessoms and Mrs. Sessoms.

Anna Lidhagen, former Swedish vice prime-minister Maud Olofsson, and Gunilla Thorstensson, Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket).

Cecilia Browning, chair of SWEA Washington, DC, and Ingrid Beach, founder of the Swedish-American Cultural Union (SACU).

Per Augustsson, who is a Senior Fellow and Diplomat-in-Residence at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of the Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C., and his wife Gabriella Augustsson, press counselor at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington.

Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström awards Washington real estate developer Alan Novak the Insignia of Knight of the Royal Order of the Polar Star.

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New website for the Swedish-speaking job market in the New York area

Posted by Susanna at 4:48 AM, Jan 4, 2012 (Comments)

Category: People

Swede Hanna B. Jackson has launched the website http://swedishjobsnyc.com/  for employers looking for Swedish-speaking employees and Swedes looking for jobs in the Metropolitan New York area.

HANNA B. JACKSON - a 27-year old Swede from Stockholm living in New York - recently started the website http://swedishjobsnyc.com/ - for the Swedish speaking job market in the New York area.
"I was surprised that there was such a demand and many opportunities for people with a Swedish background in the New York job market. While looking for a job myself, I came up with the idea of a website, where Swedish companies and others could post their openings and Swedish speakers could look for work."

"THE GOAL is that the site will grow into a platform where Swedish companies with activity in New York and the United States, who are looking for Swedish-speakers, can advertise, so that employers and prospective employees can 'meet' directly on the site," says Hanna, who just started working on a project-basis as a legal researcher. Previously she worked as assistant editor for the online lifestyle magazine "UrbanDaddy" in New York, and also did freelance journalism work.

HANNA, who grew up in the Vasastan section of Stockholm, is married to an Australian and has lived in New York since 2008. She says her childhood dream actually was to become a reporter and writer. "My father thought I was a good writer and was supported of me becoming one, but he suggested that I studied law to get some competence that the journalists who went to university to study journalism would not have."

AFTER SPENDING 6 months in London after her high-school graduation, she started her law studies at the University of Stockholm Law School.
"The final push to study law came after a meeting with a successful lawyer at Sony in London, who was very inspirational."
Now she holds a masters degree in law, LL.M., but also spent one semester at Poppius Journalism School in Stockholm.

DURING A YEAR off, taking care of her infant son, she decided that after all she wanted to practice law. "I realized that the way a lawyer works - the different cases, the information gathering, and the problem solving - was the way I enjoyed working the most. But it proved much harder in this tough job market to start a legal career than I had anticipated at first."
"I am passionate about human and civil rights and have a great interest in immigration law, and I was looking at positions at international organizations and NGOs as well as law firms."

"I THOUGHT it would be easier for me to find a position with Swedish as a requirement or advantage, or within a Swedish company. Going through many job sites and hundreds of listings every day, was both time-consuming and monotone. I heard about other Swedes in my situation and since I was going through all these listings, I thought I might as well collect all the Swedish-related ones, and create a Swedish job site in the New York area!" she says.

HANNA LOVES living in New York. "It is a challenge and a struggle to live in New York, but there is a certain feeling of unity, that I never felt in Stockholm," she says. "It is wonderful, very inspiring, exhilarating and tough, with a fantastic social and nightlife."

"A FRIEND of mine once described living in New York as a constant battle, and I can understand what she meant. It is hard because it is full of so many talented and amazing people who all want to succeed. Rent is expensive, and no one here is going to babysit you. But with this 'battle' comes a feeling of belonging, everyone who is here is here because they want to, and the battle is worth it because of all the opportunities and incredible experiences that New York brings."

HANNA AND her husband Chad and their young son now live in Brooklyn, but they previously lived in Manhattan. She says that her closest friends are Swedish, but that she meets a lot of different people and has friends from a variety of countries, but notes that "New York is full of Swedes. I feel like I meet new ones every week!"

"AND RECENTLY I became a member of The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, New York (SACC-NY), and attended a couple of their events," says Hanna, who spends her leisure time enjoying New York's amazing restaurants, or playing chess which is a new-found obsession.

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'Peruvian Christmas' at the Embassy of Peru in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 12:55 PM, Dec 21, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

AN OPENING reception for the exhibition "Peruvian Christmas" was held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C. The exhibition shows traditional Christmas items such as paintings and crèches from that country. The Peruvian imagery is part of the inheritance of thousands of years of Peruvian ancient civilizations successfully integrated with the Catholic religion. The tradition has been kept alive through generations among artisans.

THE EXHIBITION, which runs through Jan. 13, 2012, can be seen in the art gallery "Fernando de Szyszlo," Embassy of Peru, 1700 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. It is open weekdays 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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Beautiful National Press Club event at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 9:34 AM, Dec 12, 2011 (Comments)

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Ambassador Jason Yuan and Myron Belkind, chairman of the International Correspondents Committee of the National Press Club

AN ELEGANT EVENT was arranged by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office for the National Press Club's International Correspondents Committee (ICC) at the beautiful Twin Oaks Estate in the Woodley Park area of Washington, D.C. on Thursday evening, December 8. This was the second consecutive year that the Taipei Office opened its doors for an ICC event.

THE EVENING started with a cocktail reception and a delicious Chinese dinner with traditional delicacies. Afterwards Ambassador Jason Yuan gave an informative and interesting briefing about Taiwan-US relations and Cross-Strait relations, followed by questions about the upcoming elections on January 14, 2012, for president, vice-president and the legislature in Taiwan.

NPC President Mark Hamrick brings remarks, along with on the left Ambassador Jason Yuan and on the right Myron Belkind, of the National Press Club's International Correspondents Committee.

Lesley and Peter Yeung

Keith M. Hill and Marilyn E. Carlson

Hugh Grindstaff and Joan Keston

Ambassador Jason Yuan and Hugh Grindstaff

National Press Club's International Correspondents Committee event at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office at Twin Oaks Estate in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Twin Oaks Estate in Washington, D.C.

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The Swedish School - Svenska Skolan -- in the Washington area celebrates its 40th anniversary

Posted by Susanna at 12:50 PM, Dec 10, 2011 (Comments)

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THE SWEDISH SCHOOL - Svenska Skolan - in the Washington, D.C. area is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The school is one of the largest Swedish language schools for adults in the United States and attracts students from all over the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

LOCATED IN Falls Church, Virginia, it provides five progressive levels of instruction from beginner to advanced, all taught by native Swedish instructors. For more information: www.theswedishschool.org.

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Closing reception for Daphne Dougall Hogg de Zileri exhibition in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 1:34 PM, Dec 8, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Fernando Quirós, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Peru; Pedro E. Gracey Araoz, Defense and Air Attache at the Embassy of Peru, and his wife Rosa Léon de Gracey; Alexander Watson, former U.S. Ambassador to Peru; and Simon Henshaw, Director of the Office of Andean Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

THE EMBASSY of Peru held the closing reception of the fabulous photo exhibit - "Daphne - The Subtle Power of a Woman's Eye" -- with work by Peruvian photographer Daphne Dougall Hogg de Zileri (1936-2011) on Tuesday evening, December 6. Ms. Zileri's works capture the quiet magic and sparkle of everyday life in Peru and elsewhere. Among the many guests during the opening reception on November 18 was Nobel Laureate in literature 2010 Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa and his wife Patricia.

Shirley Tejada, Carolina Carranza and Fiorela Gutierrez of the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C.

Photographs by Daphne Dougall Hogg de Zileri

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SWEA Bazaar at House of Sweden in Washington draws more than 3,000 visitors on Saturday

Posted by Susanna at 4:53 PM, Dec 6, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Santa Lucia procession outside House of Sweden in Washington on Saturday evening.

THE SWEDISH Christmas Bazaar - arranged by SWEA (Swedish Women's Educational Association, www.swea.org) and sponsored by the Swedish Embassy - was again a great success. It attracted more than 3,000 visitors to the House of Sweden on the Potomac River in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. on Saturday afternoon, December 3.

Santa Lucia procession.

THE EVENT was opened in late morning, when Eva Hafström, wife of Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström, cut the red-green ribbon, and already at that early hour there was a line outside House of Sweden! But people didn't seem to mind. The line moved quickly and soon the visitors could enjoy Swedish glögg (a Christmas drink), traditional sandwiches and baked goods and other Swedish delicacies, and look at all the Christmas items that were for sale.

Santa Lucia procession.

THERE WERE also two Santa Lucia processions this day, with girls singing traditional Christmas hymns and songs. This year, the processions were held outside the House of Sweden so that more people could enjoy the singing and performance. And the beautiful evening contributed additionally to the ambience. The first procession was held early in the day for children, and a second one was held around closing time for the bazaar at 5 p.m. The second procession was led by Kerstin Hendrickson, who has led the Swedish Santa Lucia procession in the nation's capital for the last 20 years.

Eva Hess and Arne Dunhem promoting Swedish Church in Washington, D.C.

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SACC-DC celebrates the holiday season with party at House of Sweden in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 1:30 PM, Dec 2, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

John Hunter, FCC; Robert McDowell, FCC Commissioner; Marie Royce and her husband Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.)

THE WASHINGTON, D.C. chapter of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce (SACC-DC, www.sacc-dc.org) held its traditional Holiday Party with a Santa Lucia procession at the House of Sweden on Thursday evening, December 1. Bradley J. Olson, who serves as chairman of SACC-DC and SACC-USA, gave the opening remarks in Anna Lindh Hall to this festive evening. Afterwards guests enjoyed a delicious Swedish Christmas buffet and smörgåsbord. The evening's keynote speaker was FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell.

Bradley J. Olson, chairman of SACC-DC as well as SACC-USA, gives the welcome remarks in Anna Lindh Hall.

Representatives from IKEA Woodbridge - in the front row Stacey LeGates, Wendy Rogers and Ciannie Rodriguez. In the back row Fredrik Rabe, who is the head of Ikea Woodbridge and his wife Ashleigh.

Barbara Baffer, of Ericsson, announces the winners of the raffle tickets, with fine prizes such as tickets to a Redskin Game, baskets with IKEA products and other great prizes.

Stefan Brodd, Ingrid Albaugh, Elisabeth Albaugh and Kerstin Hendrickson. Ms. Hendrickson arranged the traditional Swedish Lucia procession in the Washington area for the last 20 years.

Emmy Melander of SACC-USA

Alan Schlaifer and Maja Persson, Manager of SACC-DC

FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell was the evening's keynote speaker.

The Lucia Procession

Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and his wife Marie.

The Lucia Procession

The IKEA team from Woodbridge, Virginia

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