Winter Traditions in Sweden and Russia
Winter is a special time of year. It brings chilly weather, romantic images of snow and ice, and of course, plenty of holiday traditions. Every culture and region has its own unique ways to celebrate the season, and two of the countries most beloved for this are Sweden and Russia. Come join us for a journey around the globe as we explore some of the most popular winter traditions in Sweden and Russia.
Traditional Food for Swedish Winters
In Sweden, the cold winter months bring with them a range of traditional dishes that are perfect for warming body and soul. For example, hotbit is a classic from northern Sweden, made with whitefish, anchovies, and potatoes. This hearty dish is usually served with a mountain of mashed potatoes and lingonberries. Another popular choice is glögg, a festive warming drink made of spices, orange peel, and plenty of vodka or brandy. It is traditionally served with raisins, blanched almonds, cinnamon sticks, and zest.
Russian Traditional Food for Winters
When there’s a chill in the air in Russia, the country’s locals turn to some delicious comfort food dishes to warm themselves from the inside out. Borscht is probably the best known of these, made with beetroot, cabbage, onions and other vegetables, usually served with sour cream. Blini are also a popular winter treat, thin pancakes that are eaten with jam or honey, buttered, or filled with salmon and caviar. And why not finish off with some medovukha, a honey mead also known as kvass, a warming winter drink enjoyed throughout Russia?
Holidays and Celebrations
Of course, winter isn’t all about food! Both Russia and Sweden also have many festive traditions and winter holidays to enjoy. In Sweden, the most important of these is Christmas. Swedes celebrate the festive season starting in the middle of December, with children eagerly awaiting presents from Jultomte or Santa Claus, who always leaves them in their shoe on Christmas Eve. This is followed by a traditional Christmas dinner of ham, herring, and a variety of other meals depending on the region.
Russian Winter Celebrations
In Russia, the season is filled with a wide variety of festivals and events. The most important winter holiday is New Year’s Day on 1 January, but many Russians also observe the religious holiday of Russian Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on 7 January. On New Year’s Eve, which is referred to as St. Sylvester’s Day, Russians celebrate with a special festive dinner that typically includes Olivier salad, pickled vegetables, and the infamous kholodets, or meat jelly.
Outdoor activities in Sweden
When it is cold outside in Sweden, many Swedes dodge the chill and venture outdoors to take part in some traditional wintry activities. Skating is a popular pastime, often enjoyed on the nation’s countless frozen lakes. Skiing is another favorite, with many of the country’s renowned ski resorts open until late March or early April. Of course, there can be no Sweden winter without a bit of ice hockey, which alongside football, is the nation’s most celebrated sport.
Outdoor activities in Russia
Russia is the perfect place to get some winter exercise, from skiing and snowboarding, to iceangling, hockey, and sledding. The country also hosts some impressive snow sculpture festivals and street performances from December through March, including many parades, music and art displays, ice skating competitions and other entertainment. And don’t forget about the famous and magical Russian snow, where enthusiasts can go for some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world.
From traditional festivals to winter sports, Sweden and Russia have the perfect selection of activities and customs to keep the Christmas and New Year season interesting. No matter which country you are in, winter is the time to stay cozy, get creative, and make the most out of the colder months. So, if you are ever looking for a chance to experience some wintry fun, why not head to Sweden and Russia, to soak up all the festive winter traditions these wonderful countries have to offer.
