Text and photos: Juan David Latorre.
“The Minsommar is a holiday to mark the summer solstice, to be in good company, among friends and with family”, with these words began his speech the ambassador of Sweden, Per-Arne Hjelmborn, during the celebration of the Minsommar, which, as every year, hosted a large number of guests last week.
With a rather unpredictable weather, in which it suddenly rained as if the sun were rising minutes, the warm and expected Swedish reception to celebrate the Minsommar took place between the garden and the interior of the Embassy, had no impact on the smooth organisation of the event by Swedish diplomatic staff.
He wanted to mention Ambassador Per-Arne Hjelmborn in his speech “the terrible facts surrounding us and which we have to face as a European collective. Wars in Ukraine, in Gaza caused by imperialisms, expansionisms and extremism, which generate unbearable suffering in their environments and repercussions throughout Europe. And the consequences will last for decades and even centuries. The European response must be one, from the perspective of humanity, dignity, international law and human rights. But we also need a stronger Europe to protect those values that we value so much.”
The Swedish ambassador highlighted the campaign launched by the Embassy, with a lot of humor, with the slogan “Become the Swede”, to “suggest that this saying does not mean looking the other way, but taking responsibility, we Swedes like it, and taking action on climate and environmental challenges. So far, the campaign has reached two million Spaniards”.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the ambassador commented to the attendees that “it is said that if you put seven kinds of flowers under your pillow tonight, you will dream about the person you are going to marry… Important information”, which provoked the logical laughter and comments. And then gave the news that the same day was the wedding anniversary with his wife Anette, which caused some “oooohhhh” among the audience of admiration and complicity.
The reception was attended by ambassadors and representatives from Austria, Malta, Poland, Norway, Serbia, Bulgaria, Germany and Romania.
