Sweden is one of the most successful nations in Eurovision history, reflecting their bright, inclusive pop music scene. As the Contest heads up North again, we will make a pre-party comedy tour of the ways Sweden has influenced Vienna. We want to bring together the Swedish community, Whoosh fans interested in a new perspective on their home town diversity, and of course kitsch music lovers. And we have a special guest this time, to bring insider knowledge and some of the original language.
So what is Swedish Wien? From Ikea to Schwedenbomben, Per-Albin-Hansson Siedlung to Bruno Kreisky’s wartime experience in exile, H&M and Abba parties, a church and Schwedenplatz. Skiing connects us, and Austria’s men beat Sweden 3-1 in Stockholm in Autumn 2023, adding extra spice to the rivalry between the footie teams, before the Euros in Germany in summer 2024. A school in Mariahilf and a park in Donaustadt are named after Astrid Lindgren, to honour the creator of Pippi Langstrumpf.
People like Sweden - we will explore why that is. And this being a Whoosh tour, we bring our usual mix of politics and ridiculousness.
Later on, we get together to watch the Eurovision on a big screen.