Sweden Day celebrated with pioneering companies

Sebitseom Floating Island on the Han River, Seoul, is lit up in blue and yellow in celebration of Sweden Day 2022, June 7. Courtesy of Embassy of Sweden in Korea

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Embassy of Sweden hosted Sweden Day 2022 in style and offline for the first time in three years.

Held on the Sebitseom Floating Island in Seoul, June 7, the celebration was themed "Pioneer the possible" and packed with Swedish companies that embody the innovative values of the country.

"I am delighted to resume Sweden Day this year after a two-year long break caused by the COVID pandemic. Sweden Day is not only a celebration of our national day, but also an opportunity to share a bit of Sweden with our guests," Ambassador of Sweden to Korea Daniel Wolven said.

Sweden observes its National Day on June 6, commemorating the election of King Gustav Vasa on June 6, 1523, which is considered as the founding of modern Sweden.

"I arrived in Seoul only nine months ago and for me and for my family this has been an amazing experience, both professionally and personally. I can think of no two countries located so far away from each other that share so many positive features ― a strong industry and engineering tradition, vibrant youth cultures and music industries, the passion for, and production, of world class film, design and food, top-ranked innovation hubs and not least, our joint commitment to peace and security," he said.

Ambassador of Sweden to Korea Daniel Wolven speaks during the Sweden Day 2022 celebration at Sebitseom Floating Island on the Han River, Seoul, June 7. Courtesy of Embassy of Sweden in Korea

Wolven also showed support for Ukraine, suffering at the hands of Russian military aggression.

"Today this floating Island is again lit up in blue and yellow ― the colors of both the Swedish and the Ukrainian flags. So as we celebrate the Swedish national day, I think we should also pay our deepest respect to the immense bravery of the Ukrainian people who are, as we meet here tonight, fighting for their freedom," he said.

Rep. Yun Jae-ok of the People Power Party, who serves as chairperson of the Korea Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Association, mentioned in his congratulatory remarks that Sweden is among the most favored countries to Koreans and interest in Korea is growing in Sweden thanks to the K-pop craze with BTS at the center of the phenomenon.

"As we grow our awareness and interest toward each other, the friendship will grow stronger, which will set the foundation of our important partnership on the global stage," Yun said.

A handful of Swedish companies active in Korea, from automakers Volvo and Saab to Tetra Pak and Ikea, took part in the Sweden Day celebration. There were also sections representing Sweden's midsummer festival with a maypole.