Culture and Customs of Sweden (Cultures and Customs of the World)

This work is an in-depth look at many aspects of contemporary Swedish customs and culture that ties today's nation to an understanding of its history.Culture and Customs of Sweden is an ideal introduction to this fascinating nation. The book opens with a broad overview of the country and then examines specific themes such as religion, marriage, family, gender issues, education, holidays, popular customs, sports and leisure, media, literature, performing arts, art, and architecture. Throughout, the author seeks to strike a balance between the history of these many aspects of contemporary Sweden and what is happening there today—at a time when Sweden is undergoing many profound changes. For example, the chapter on literature looks at both the development of Swedish literature since the Middle Ages and at current interests, themes, and writers. Each of the themes covered is central to introducing both Sweden's past and its present, facilitating the kind of understanding that is so important in this ever-shrinking world. From the Publisher: "We tend to think of Sweden as a homogenous land of blonds munching on meatballs, lutfisk, and herring. Yet, the truth is, Sweden is a remarkably multicultural nation. What is modern Sweden really like-and how did it get that way?" "Culture and Customs of Sweden is an ideal introduction to this fascinating nation. The book opens with a broad overview of the country and then examines specific themes such as religion, marriage, family, gender issues, education, holidays, popular customs, sports and leisure, media, literature, performing arts, art, and architecture." Throughout, the author seeks to strike a balance between the history of these many aspects of contemporary Sweden and what is happening there today-at a time when Sweden is undergoing many profound changes. For example, the chapter on literature looks at both the development of Swedish literature since the Middle Ages and at current interests, themes, and writers. Each of the themes covered is central to introducing both Sweden's past and its present, facilitating the kind of understanding that is so important in this ever-shrinking world This work is an in-depth look at many aspects of contemporary Swedish customs and culture that ties today's nation to an understanding of its history. Culture and Customs of Sweden is an ideal introduction to this fascinating nation. The book opens with a broad overview of the country and then examines specific themes such as religion, marriage, family, gender issues, education, holidays, popular customs, sports and leisure, media, literature, performing arts, art, and architecture. Throughout, the author seeks to strike a balance between the history of these many aspects of contemporary Sweden and what is happening there todayat a time when Sweden is undergoing many profound changes. For example, the chapter on literature looks at both the development of Swedish literature since the Middle Ages and at current interests, themes, and writers. Each of the themes covered is central to introducing both Sweden's past and its present, facilitating the kind of understanding that is so important in this ever-shrinking world. Culture and Customs of Sweden......Page 4 Contents......Page 6 Series Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 14 Chronology......Page 16 1 Land, People, and a Brief History......Page 20 2 Religion......Page 46 3 Marriage, Family, Gender, and Education......Page 64 4 Holidays, Customs, and Leisure Activities......Page 82 5 Media......Page 102 6 Literature......Page 114 7 Performing Arts......Page 140 8 Art, Architecture, and Design......Page 164 Bibliography......Page 200 Index......Page 206 Beschrijving van cultuur en gebruiken in Zweden