April 2020 is looking a little different than we had imagined! With border closures, social distancing practices, and the stress of uncertainty during this COVID-19 situation, we would like to present a slightly different calendar, full of interesting virtual events and digital tours to keep you busy and safe.
We would also like to thank organizations and individuals for going above and beyond at this time. Museums are offering free virtual tours, educators have been granted free access to incredible teaching resources, and communities are pulling together to help out those in need.
If you had events you planned to attend in the coming weeks, please check with the organizer to see if it is still continuing as originally scheduled. In the event of cancelation, we hope this calendar – full of virtual tours and digital events – will keep you busy!
Here’s how to keep yourself entertained while practicing social distancing in Stockholm this April:
Wednesday 1st April
April Fool’s Day
If you are cooped up at home, playing a prank to get the household laughing may be just what is needed! We can’t wait to hear what foolery everyone gets into this year. This spaghetti tree prank is a historical favorite of ours.
Thursday 2nd April
International Children’s Book Day
Regardless of whether you have a child, this is a wonderful day to revisit some classic children’s tales. The holiday falls on Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, a Danish author best remembered for his fairy tales. Read one of his stories, or choose another from our list of Swedish children’s books.
Saturday 4th April
Run Under Corona Virtual Race #2
Choose to run either 21.1 or 42.2 kilometers, with everyone beginning at the same time, in their own location. You must register for this event, which costs 50 SEK. Half of the proceeds go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Post pictures or videos of your run to inspire others!
Monday 6th April
Stockholm Jazz Stream from Fasching
If you are practicing social distancing, but still want to involve yourself with music, Fasching has devised a solution for you. Tune in to Fasching’s Facebook page for live streaming of jazz concerts! On Monday, the performance will be by Erik Söderlind. Viewers of the live stream are asked to make donations, which will go directly to the musicians.
Tuesday 7th April
UN World Health Day
This day marks the founding of the UN’s World Health Organization. This year, the focus will be on nurses and midwives, and the difficult, vital work that they do. Under the circumstances, those in healthcare are working even harder than normal. If you know a nurse or midwife, be sure to send them a note of thanks today.
Thursday 9th April
International Gin & Tonic Day
Even if you are unable to celebrate this international day in a cocktail bar, you can mix your own drink at home and toast to friends over webcam! And if you’re going to the bar – so to speak – why not take the time to make yours the perfect minimalist home bar?
Friday 10th April
Soul Train Livestream from Sturecompagniet
Sturecompagniet keeps the party going from your own living room! Rather than going to a club and dancing, Sturecompagniet is offering a live DJ stream that you can enjoy from home, along with dance video contests and other interactive content.
Sunday 12th April
Easter Sunday
Although some Easter traditions may be difficult to uphold in times of social distancing, others can still be practiced. Children can dress up as Easter witches, and photos of their art can be sent to relatives rather than following the tradition of going home to home, exchanging drawings for sweets. Blowing and decorating eggs is a great way to keep little hands occupied, while an Easter egg hunt inside the home is fun for all ages.
As always, Easter lunch can be observed. Why not sit down for a meal with friends over webcam?
Wednesday 22nd April
Earth Day
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is climate action. How can you make a difference today and going forward? Share your sustainability ideas with friends, family, and with us!
Saturday 25th April
New Hours 3: Live Broadcast
This event has been adapted in the face of COVID-19 to be a live-broadcasted event instead of an in-person one. Artists have come together to include music, performances, visual art, and more. Check the Facebook event for further details.
Cultural Activities
Slow down with slow tv
Take a tip from our Nordic neighbors and enjoy the anxiety-reducing qualities of Slow TV – a Norwegian phenomenon that’s resulted in 12-hour marathon showings of train journeys, knitting, and wood burning to name but a few.
Opera Play from The Royal Swedish Opera
The Royal Opera is one of the many establishments rising to the occasion during this unique time of unease. They have made a range of programs available online and free of charge, including ballets and concerts. Some are available for longer than others, so check the website soon to see if your favorite is there!
Polar Bear Cub Livestream from Ouwehand Park in Rhenen, Netherland
Many museums are providing virtual tours at this time; now zoos are getting in on the action. You got us, this isn’t actually in Stockholm, but you can tune in from anywhere in the world for a healthy dose of cuteness. Polar bear cubs!
Search the Collection at Moderna Museet
While Moderna Museet is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, you are still able to browse the collections online. You can choose from a variety of categories, artists, or just search for a specific item. The online collection is easy to navigate and is free. A great tool to keep you engaged with culture when you may be stuck at home on your couch!
The Lilian Look Online from the Royal Palace
This exhibit, previously on display at the Royal Palace, has been made available online for free. Go to the website and see about 30 different outfits worn by Princess Lilian. You can click on the garments to enlarge them and click on the signs to learn more.
The Museum of Antiquities Online from the Royal Palace
In this exhibit, you can virtually view King Gustav III’s collection of stone sculptures. The descriptions for this website are in Swedish, but Google Translate is right at your fingertips!
Hedvig Eleonora’s State Bedchamber Online from Drottningholms Palace
Drottningholms Palace boasts beauty and elegance, and Hedvig Eleonora’s bedchamber is one of the Palace’s highlights. View the Baroque room online, and learn about the symbols of royal power and the personal messages interwoven into the room.
Online Tour of the Louvre and other renowned museums
While we love Stockholm, sometimes being told you have to stay in one place makes you want to be anywhere but there. If you’re starting to get itchy feet, don’t fear! The Louvre is one of the many museums offering virtual tours of exhibits, like the Egyptian Antiquities exhibit. In addition to the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain also have virtual tours.
Home Activities
It’s time to brush off the reading glasses and get deep into some Swedish classic and contemporary novels. Why not give these a try during lockdown?
Simon and the Oaks by Marianne Fredriksson (1985)
This novel is set in the 1940’s in Gothenburg. Simon befriends Isaak, who has fled Germany with his family to avoid persecution.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012)
This novel will have you rooting for a grumpy old man, laughing and crying at his situation, and admiring the deep goodness of the protagonist. The book has also been made into a film.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (2009)
Allan Karlsson decides to escape his nursing home and embark on a journey that only begins when he climbs out his window. The story is quirky and spirit-lifting.
Audible
During this time, Audible has decided to make some of their books available at no cost, including some literary classics. There are books offered in English, as well as a few other languages. Could this be the moment to read Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World?…
Swedish Shows to Binge Watch
Fallet on Netflix
This Swedish show is worthy of a binge-watching session. A Swedish detective works together with a British colleague to solve a murder. The show is both in Swedish and English. You will need a Netflix account to watch.
Our Time is Now on SVT Play
A historical drama, Our Time is Now follows an affluent Stockholm family and their kitchen staff in post-war Sweden. If you feel like absorbing some culture, but you want a break from reading, watching this show can be a fun way to brush up on your Swedish history.
Swedish recipes to try
Although Easter may look a little different this year, you can still find joy in the rustling up some traditional Swedish dishes.
Janssons Frestelse, a classic comfort dish made with potatoes and cured sprats.
Knäckebröd is a crisp bread that you can have as a side at a dinner, or serve with caviar at breakfast. As a versatile food, it is a great one to learn to make yourself.
You can also get baking with this quick and delicious recipe for Swedish Visiting Cake. The story behind it is that if you saw some visitors at the end of your drive, you could throw together this cake and have it ready to be served by the time your visitors were settled in your home.
Apartment Therapy
If staring at the same 4 walls is starting to get you down, why not check out these six Swedish interior design blogs. Plenty of escapism to be found among the minimalist decoration.
Activities
Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Check out some of these online fitness classes you can take to make the most of isolation.
Barry’s Bootcamp on Instagram
The people at Barry’s Bootcamp in the UK are providing online 30-minute classes on their Instagram page. You can keep up with your workouts while maintaining social distancing with these videos!
Online CorePower Yoga
CorePower is offering free access to a collection of online classes that will help you maintain your yoga if you are no longer able to attend classes at your usual gym. Head over to their website, roll out your yoga mat, and get zen at home.
Shopping
Gram Shoes
Gram Shoes have creative, quirky shoes that are sure to bring a smile to your face and a soaring-quality to your step. We, personally, are loving the Yatfai ballerina shoe!
Hums Slippers
It’s definitely time to level up your slipper game. Find your next pair from Hums, a Swedish brand so delightful you’ll want to wear them outside. There is free shopping for European orders.
Filippa K Soft Sport
Even if you are confined to your home, you can still find time to get your body moving! Filippa K offers an elegant sportswear line, Soft Sport, for low-intensity sports like yoga and Pilates. While these clothes are designed for activity, many pieces can be incorporated seamlessly into a greater wardrobe, like the elegant Seam Sweatshirt, that can be dressed up with boots and a necklace for a stroll through the city. If you hadn’t worked out from home prior to COVID-19, you can get all your essentials, like yoga mats, from Filippa K too!
ARKET
Shop online from ARKET to prepare your spring wardrobe, so you can wow everyone with your fashion after this social distancing! The Hammered Satin Frill Dress will add a touch of spring when you step out, make sure to check out the rest of their exclusive collection.
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L:A BRUKET
With all of the washing vigilance, our hands are beginning to look like a dried-up lakebed. Find the remedy to your dry skin by shopping online at L:A BRUKET, who are offering free shipping on all orders for a limited time. Have more hand soap questions? Check out our guide to the best Scandi hand soaps.
Dirty Linen
Working remotely means, for some of us, working from bed. We promise not to judge, providing your sheets are 100% linen and from bedding superstars Dirty Linen.
TOVEMIKA
Shop online for jewelry at TOVEMIKA, based out of Stockholm. The jewelry is handmade, with playful and organic shapes in silver.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
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