78th Worldwide Chapter of SWEA Gets Energized In Ybor
March 26, 2008 (Tampa, FL USA) - The Columbia restaurant in Ybor City, Florida was alive with Swedish culture on Saturday, March 15. Blue and yellow napkins, balloons, flags and excited shouts of Hej! transformed the South American themed restaurant into a picture that would have likely been taken in Stockholm. It was the inauguration party of the 78th worldwide chapter of SWEA (Swedish Women?s Educational Association), recently formed to serve central and southwest Florida. The nonprofit, all-volunteer organization ensures that Swedish heritage and traditions are kept alive for Swedes living in other countries. Any profit from the organization's activities is used to fund Swedish education. Event attendee Margareta Horn recalls meeting the woman who first started the international organization, Agneta Nilsson, in 1971. She's been the driving force of SWEA, said Horn, who described Nilsson as a very impressive lady.
And this is a very smart woman, said Horn, pointing to SWEA-Tampa Bay board president Malin Samuelsson. Samuelsson was easily visible, rushing about greeting guests: SWEA members, both Swedish and America-born, their Swedish or American significant others, members of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and even B-G Holmberg, Honorary Counsul of Sweden who works with Swedes in 46 Florida counties.
Swedes getting together for these common activities is important, said Mats Bengtson of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. There are many common industries in Sweden and the United States, providing much opportunity for collaboration and interchange.By the end of the month, Bengtson and others hope to officially launch a Swedish-American Chamber for north and central Florida, servicing the I-4 corridor.
Flamenco dancers in shiny blue and red moved confidently with stamping feet and seductive moves to command seated guests. Samuelsson and Vice Chair of SWEA-Tampa Bay Ingrid Peterson then took the stage to welcome the group in both Swedish and in English and to introduce the evenings most anticipated performer, Owe Thörnqvist. Thörnqvist, who has been credited with introducing rock n roll to Sweden in 1955, entertained a clapping and swaying crowd for nearly an hour with jokes and his popular novelty songs, humorous ballots that demanded animated audience participation.The Swedish singer has a home in Lido Key, Sarasota, allowing him to visit select events on the Florida Suncoast. The 79 year old still returns to Sweden and Spain to play for crowds of up to 4,000 people. I'll keep playing until they drag me off the stage,Thörnqvist said. Christine Sandberg, born in Indiana to Swedish parents, now lives in Clearwater and is considering becoming the 78th member of SWEA-Tampa Bay. She came to the event with her husband to join the company of other Swedes and to enjoy Thörnqvist.
I've been singing along to Owe my whole life, said Sandberg. I feel happy whenever I hear his music.
During dinner, many attendees learned just how much they have in common with each other. Jeff Anthony discovered that table mates Eric and Elisabeth Adolfsson share a common Swedish home town with his wife Marie, one of SWEA?s younger members. The Anthonys' daughters, ages 9 and 14, attend the
Swedish School of Tampa Bay on weekends to keep the language and culture alive in their home. The couple met in a Clearwater bar, married and lived in Sweden for a year before returning to Florida.
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I love being around the Swedes. They're fun and energetic, and I want Marie to be in touch with her culture, said Anthony. Look around the room. You see different ages, but they're all having a great time.That's precisely what SWEA is all about: preserving Swedish culture and heritage in the many places around the world where Swedes are living, working, and enriching others lives.
Susie Bowie
Two Trees Creative
twotreescreative(a)verizon.net
941.782.7903
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