January 27th, at 12:00 pm

Scandinavia House

58 Park Avenue, New York

Catered by Swedish Restaurant Aquavit

and Sponsored by Absolut Vodka

List of all Sweden Day Sponsors

Flag Design Swedish Rotarian Tord Elfwendahl

During the drinking of Absolut Vodka, we learned a very popular traditional Swedish drinking song with the Swedish name "Helan Går," which in English means “The Whole Goes.” We sang it so often that we all learned to sing it in Swedish.

The day proved to be a snowy prelude to an oncoming winter Nor'easter, but to all assembled; this was a mere distraction to the revelry of the moment. Our meeting place was at the Scandinavia House, which was the first time in recent memory that we have met away from our traditional location. The setting proved to be open and airy due to the large glass windows on either side of the room.

 

After singing our traditional “The Star-Spangled Banner,” we were treated by a quartet of Swedish guests singing the Swedish National Anthem. Bill Currie gave a wonderful invocation, which he had just written on the train down from Westchester - Bill is truly talented and has a quick wit.

 

To get things rolling, Matts Ingemanson, invited up the quartet again to lead in singing "Helan Går", a popular Swedish Drinking Song, that features a pause while drinking bottoms up. Conveniently there were bottles of Absolut Vodka and Aquavit on each table, along with a shot glass by each plate. This was repeated several more times during the course of the luncheon.

 

We had two, speakers, Henry Goosis Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and our own Erik Enroth, Executive Director of Invest in Sweden Agency, US. Henry spent time introducing himself to us, spoke about the Wallenberg family with whom he is connected through his business, and finally about the Chamber of Commerce.

 

Erik Enroth, spent time dispelling or confirming several myths about Sweden (e.g. it is not colder than New York, the cost of living is not as bad as many places, the corporate tax rate is lower than New York, and yes, it is true the Swedish women are beautiful). Erik reported that Rotary is indeed alive and well in Sweden, with 550 clubs for a population of 9 million.

 

The raffle prize for the day was 1 round trip ticket to Sweden, won by Greg Lynch. We were all joking that it could also be exchanged for 2 one-way tickets to Sweden as well.

 

Text:                   Taylor Gray

Photos:              Matts Ingemanson

Swedish Flags:   Tord Elfwendahl

 

 

 

 

Comments about Sweden Day:

 

 

Matts, Erik, Greg,

 

Thanks for the great party. I had to take a nap in the afternoon! Guess why. The event really helped to improve the image of Sweden, as a funny, friendly, smart business people with a sense for good food and liquor. I also really like the Swedish anthem, it's one of the most beautiful melodies I know. I hope I get a chance to visit Sweden one day. Well I guess I first need to become Rotary president and win the raffle all the time!

 

Best Regards,

Volker

 

Volker Detering, President

Event Me Inc., New York

http://www.EventMe.com

 

 

 

We thought the phonetic rendering of the drinking song was hilarious.

 

Kirsten Edstrom

President

Rotary Club of Metro New York

 

 

 

Mr. Eric Enroth
Invest in Sweden Agency
885 Second Ave., 45th Fl
New York, N.Y. 10017

January, 29.2004

Dear Eric and Matts:

Thank you for hosting last week’s fun and informative “Swedish Day”.

With some assistance from the wine and Absolute, the donated airline ticket
helped our Club’s raffle raise $501. This will help to fund our service
projects.

It was a delicious lunch and a fun filled afternoon!

Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Tom McConnon

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS

 

WE WOULD LIKE TO PRAISE ROTARIAN ERIK ENROTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AT INVEST IN SWEDEN AGENCY, FOR PUTTING TOGETHER SWEDEN DAY. IT

WAS A SUCCESSFUL AND VERY WELL ORGANIZED EVENT.