Swedish National Day celebrations: “Thank you for the music”

More than 300 guests attended the Swedish National Day celebration where they were greeted by traditional Swedish songs by the ‪‎Lund Student Singers Choir‬ upon arrival. Throughout the reception, guests got to listen to contemporary Swedish music, whose history spans more than 40 years of international success.

The Greek and Swedish National Anthems were performed respectively by the Greek National Opera tenor Mr. Yannis Christopoulos and by Robert Wallén.

Ambassador ‪of Sweden, Her Excellency Charlotte Wrangberg‬, in her National Day speech, highlighted the Swedish music scene and the success of the huge Swedish music export industry.  She stressed the vital role some of the most prominent Swedish bands and artists have played for this fantastic music history. She also noted that Sweden has actually won the ‪Eurovision‬ song contest 6 times, twice during the past 4 years. As a testament to this history, a roll-up exhibition featuring the Swedish music success was also displayed to the high enjoyment of the guests.

During the celebration, Ambassador Wrangberg, on behalf of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, had the pleasure to decorate the Swedish Honorary-Consul in Thessaloniki, Mr. John Akkas, with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, officer first class with accompanying diploma.

SOURCE: Embassy of Sweden facebook page
photos by: Robert Wallén, Ritva Wahlgren and Sofia Keramida