The Swedish School for Language and Culture in Vienna, Virginia, held its own traditional 'Vasaloppet'

Posted by Susanna at 8:55 PM, Mar 9, 2011 (Comments)

Category: Events

Students and adults gathered after the "Vasaloppet" competition.

A REAL SWEDISH tradition - "Vasaloppet" -- was celebrated at The Swedish School for Language and Culture in Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday, March 5.

VASALOPPET IS a 90 km cross-country ski race that traditionally takes place between the towns Sälen and Mora in the province of Dalarna, Sweden, the first Sunday in March. It is the oldest, the longest and probably one of the biggest cross-country ski races in the world. At that event, typically more than 15,000 skiers gather to commemorate the trip made by the 16th century Swedish King Gustav Vasa, who according to the history was the first one to ski that route in 1520 as part of his escape to Norway eluding the troops of Christian II, the king of the Kalmar Union.

The "Vasaloppet" competition

VASALOPPET AT the Swedish School for Language and Culture in Virginia is held every year at nearby parking lot, where children from the school compete with their parents and other adults on skis made of wood. After the competition, the Swedish traditional blueberry soup and home-made buns are served to the participants.

FOR MORE information about The Swedish School for Language and Culture, visit www.swedishlanguageschool.com.

The "Vasaloppet" competition

Thomas Unander-Scharin and Mårten Leijon

The "Vasaloppet" competition

After the competition, according to Swedish tradition hearty blueberry soup and home-baked buns were served to the participants.   

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