7 AWESOME THINGS ABOUT SWEDEN

7

Pippi Longstocking

While largely usurped by Strawberry , some may still remember Pippi Longstocking’s films and  t.v. series . She was created by Swedish author Astrid .

6

IKEA

IKEA has become the largest furniture retailer in the whole world. The company was founded in year 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad. Kamprad was part of the New Swedish Movement, which supported Nazi Germany during WWII and promoted Swedish nationalism and fascism.

5

H & M

H&M is the world’s 2nd largest clothing retailer, behind the notorious Zara and ahead of GAP Inc. The style of clothing is meant to mimic current runway trends and is promoted through advertising campaigns featuring well known figures like  Sasha Pivovarova and David Beckham. 

4

ABBA

The whole world is familiar with “Dancing Queen.” ABBA was formed in 1972 and Dancing Queen was released in year 1976. The single became one of the most popular songs of the 1970s. 

3

Absolut Vodka

Swedish spirits manufacturer Lars Olsson Smith created Absolut in the year 1877. Absolut is the most popular and internationally distributed alcoholic spirit in the world, popularized by its 1980 s ad campaigns. 

2

Ingmar Bergman

Anyone who’s been to art or film school knows Ingmar Bergman. Woody Allen has called him the greatest film director for all time. Sweden provided the setting for the majority of his films which often focused on  madness, mortality, and betrayal. 

1

The Pirate Bay

 The Pirate Bay is a Swedish file-sharing website, used to search for Bit Torrents, and one of the biggest facilitators of illegal downloading in the world. Many websites and countries such as Facebook have blocked access to the Pirate Bay as well as distribution of its links.