A Word from the Presidents
Hej alla,
2013 has been an amazing year for SACC-LA and I am so happy to have been part of this success and record year for the chamber. Most of all, it has been wonderful to further develop both the friendship and business relationships with all of you : )
Some great events this year has been the Making it in America Seminar “How to stay in the U.S. and other secrets! ” in January, The Pre-Oscar Parties that we hosted for our Swedish nominees and winners in February, The Speaker Boot Camp with TED speaker Johan Bates in April, the popular business mixer at The London West Hollywood Rooftop in August and several Young Professionals events throughout the year. Highlights have of course been The Swedish Affär in June and the Eliason Merit Award in November that exceeded all our expectations.
Thank you for being part of our adventures and for your tremendous support !!
From all of us to all of you, Happy Holidays and a Great New Year !!
Gudrun
Gudrun Giddings Kim H. Swartz
President of SACC-LA President of SACC-LA Foundation
SVEA Los Angeles Christmas Fair
On Sunday, December 15th we participated in Swea Los Angeles Christmas Fair at the Shrine Expo Centre in Downtown. The pleasant sent from the mulled wine welcomed you as you entered the fair and you could feel the vibrant atmosphere and the anticipation in the air. Lots of guests came to check out all the booths with unique scandinavian products and to take part of the Swedish Christmas traditions and celebrations. One of the highlights of the day was of course the crowning of the Lucia and the beautiful Lucia choir that was sining all the traditional Swedish Lucia songs.
 Ottilliana Rolandsson, MC during the fair, Isabel Adrian, crowned the lucia, Birgitta Lauren, president of Swea and Isabel’s two kids Monday-Lilly and Winter-Rose
It was great to meet the SACC-LA members who came to our booth and participated in the business card raffle. The prize of the raffle was a voucher for one shirt from Oscar of Sweden and we are happy to announce the winner in this newsletter:
The winner of the raffle is JOAKIM LLOYD RABOFF! Contratulations!
Joakim, please send us an email and we will send you the voucher. You will find more information about Oscar of Sweden and their handsome shirts in the article below. The perfect Christmas gift!
 SACC-LA’s Marketing Managers Adam Söderlund and Paula Thelin by the SACC-LA booth
SACC-LA Holiday Sale
Oscar of Sweden Men’s Dress/Sport Shirts
It’s not to late to place your order!
Regular Price: $250
SACC-LA Member & Friends Price: $150
& Free Shipping!
Please contact Larry at:
larry@scandinavianimports.us or
call (504) 628-3887 for a consultation or questions
Tack & God Jul!
Staffan Eklund – The Pastor of the Church of Sweden in Los Angeles
Staffan Eklund, The Pastor of the Church of Sweden in Los Angeles, Paula Thelin, Head of Communications SACC-LAOn Sunday December 15th I met with Staffan Eklund, the new Pastor of the Church of Sweden in LA. We talked about having the courage to leave the old behind and face new challenges, and the importance of a church that is present in people’s everyday life.
To become a minister has not always been the obvious career choice for Staffan. During his military service he worked as a paramedic and after that experience he was confident that he wanted to become a doctor. But after getting involved as a teacher at the church’s program for youths he wanted to learn more about theology and started his bible studies and realized that becoming a pastor, ordained Minister, in the Church of Sweden was his calling in life.
His work took him to many different places in Sweden and he has for example worked in Härnösand, Nyköping and Ekerö (Stockholm). Staffan has always wanted to live and work abroad and now when his kids are older and more independent he thought that it was time to make the dream come true.
Staffan told me about one specific scenario that made the decision about moving easier. Every day before breakfast he and his wife Maja read a book with wise words and thoughts about the day. The day when he had just found out about that he received the job in Los Angeles the quote of the day was “Have the courage to leave the old behind and start something new.”
His family has been very supportive about the decision to move to LA and when he told his adult kids their spontaneous reaction was simply “Go for it!” Staffans wife and his youngest daughter Sara have moved to California together with him and the rest of the three kids are still in Sweden. At the time of the interview Staffan was extremely excited since all the kids had just came to LA to spend Christmas here and the family was finally reunited after four months apart.
Staffan is very enthusiastic about his work here in LA and sees great value in spreading the Church’s message and traditions to the congregation in California. He thinks that traditions might be even more important here than in Sweden and says that a belief is just as important during happy times as in sad. He emphasizes the importance of being a church that is present and accessible in people’s everyday life.
He looks forward to learn more about the extensive fundraising that the Church of Sweden Abroad is practicing. He thinks that the Churches home in Sweden has a lot to learn when it comes to fundraising and that the methods that he learns here will be very valuable when he eventually moves back to Sweden after his time here is up.
We also talked about all the exciting upcoming events organized by the church the following months. For example there is “Julotta” with breakfast on December 25th and a New Year Concert with John Kluge on January 12th . For the full calendar of events check out the Church’s website.
Staffan and Maja Eklund attended the Eliason Merit Award hosted by SACC-LA in November. This is a picture of Gudrun Giddings, President of SACC-LA, Staffan Eklund, Maja Eklund and Christian Beutel.
The Swedish Film “Iris”
Premiere Events in LA
On January 8th and 9th you can go to the screening of “Iris” and take part of the Q&A with the director and join the reception with the cast and crew.
Here you can take a look at the movie trailer and the film info – www.FilmFestivalFlix.com/film/Iris/
Wednesday January 8th
What: Screening of “Iris”
When: 7.15PM
Where: Regal Stadium 14 at LA Live. See map here
Tickets: $14. Buy tickets on Eventbrite
Thursday January 9th
What: Screening of “Iris”
When: 7.30PM
Where: Laemmle NoHo 7. See map here
Tickets: $14. Buy tickets on Eventbrite
You will find more information about all the associated events on the Eventbrite links above.
Will Ferrell explaining Swedish Christmas Traditions
Will Ferrell explaining Swedish Christmas traditions on The Jonathan Ross Show. But does Swedes really put a candle in the window during the festive periods because they don’t have electricity and is really goose blood soup a Swedish speciality? Which Swedish traditions do you find the most curious?
Happy Holidays From SACC-LA
Thank you for a fantastic year! We will be back at the office on January 6th.
GOD JUL!
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!
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