I wish I had 10 kr for every time I opened up the newspaper and thought to myself – wow, can’t believe that happened yesterday and I knew nothing about it. Not that I should know everything about everything that’s on but I love events, festivals, things that are happening about the place and community stuff, at the grass roots level in particular.
What is it about Swedish media that they wait until after an event to report anything about it??
I read the paper every day, at least SvD and usually Metro too and I keep my eyes peeled for what’s going on – partly because I love to get out and do stuff, partly because I am interested in what’s happening. This week I was surprised to read about the Monster Job Expo, last week it was the 200-year anniversary of the separation of Finland and Sweden. While I can understand that Monster were satisfied with the 6000 registered to their event, I am surprised that the media waits until after the event to tell us anything about the
Märkesårfest – or the 200-year Anniversary Celebrations.
So what actually happens around here?
Every weekend I eagerly open up the paper to see what’s on in Stockholm and I find no shortage of information about concerts, theatre, opera or any type of performance, as well as exhibitions, the occasional lecture and the latest at the museums – but that’s about it. Compare
DN’s PåStan guide for Eating Out, Concerts, Clubs, Theatre, Dance, Art, Sport, Learning, Film & Kids with our
local Canadian Paper (1/3 size of Sthm) or the
Melbourne guide (2++ size of Sthm) There is a definite difference in the variety, even taking into account the vast difference in city sizes.
So is there less variety or just less information?
In a culture that is technology savvy as this one is it is hard to understand why the information would not be made available online. Swedes have been fast to make use of the internet in all its forms and functions. Despite that it is not unusual to see homemade posters around the place spreading the word about anything from a local second hand market to open day at the cat home.
There is however the theory that Swedes are just not inclined to volunteer information and we non-Swedes usually joke (masked frustration) about how you need to know what you want to know so you can ask the right questions to get the information you need – did you get that? You have to ask questions, and lots of them, to get information from people. A classic example is special offers – never ring a company and ask what the price is without also asking if there are any special offers – because they won’t volunteer that information. I’ve tested it – even though they are advertising the special offer in the newspaper! I wrote last week about professional networks for women – well in a meeting I had with The Chamber of Commerce and they informed me that their introductory price is 50% off - yet nowhere on their website will you find that little titbit. If it wasn’t so commonplace you could put it down to a one off – but its not, and many a foreigner will share their frustration on the matter. Swedes seem to assume that if you want to know something you will ask, it’s not their place to tell you??? But can that theory really apply to spreading information about events?
So perhaps there is a whole lot less happening here than in other parts of the world?
Could that really be it?
Anyway, if you are looking for something to do this weekend in Stockholm try any of these sites:
DN's PåStan
Does not included a whole lot of things I know are happening this weekend.
Svenska Dagbladet / Allt Om Stockholm
Very limited categories - mostly Stockholm city.
Stockholm Town
Looks good, better categories. Lots of theatre, concerts, museums.
Gratis Stockholm
The best variety I have seen so far - perhaps because it is a list of free events.
Barn i stan
Aimed purely at activities for families they also have a wider range of events out in the community.
You can also follow
SwedenEvents or StockholmEvents on Twitter where I publish all events that come to my attention.

If you want to promote your event then drop me a line on Twitter or nicole@liveinsweden.se
Have a great weekend!