The Swedish National Day Celebration 2021

9 Jun

What does Sweden mean to you? Many different parts came to our minds, so we hand-picked our Swedish jewels and shared them with the 130 guests present in the ballroom at Fairmont the Palm, Dubai.

Mohamad Hamami on violin, dressed in a Swedish National suit. Playing Schottis from Bingsjö

Violinist Mohamad Hamami, from Ohji Events began the evening with Swedish folk music, dressed in a Swedish National suit, tailormade especially for him, in Dubai, while the guests were enjoying a drink of elderflower.

Once all the guests were seated the doors opened and the three organisers, Christina, Helena and Johanna arrived in their Swedish National dresses with violinist Mohamad. The music increased, and the guests got to witness a Schottis from Bingsjö performed by the hostesses and once on stage they also performed a slightly altered Ida´s Sommarvisa in place of a welcome speech. A slightly unusual way to start an event, but it certainly got all the guests into a great mood.

The evening had focus on the food, which was a Swedish four-course-dinner with inspiration from Europe including white asparagus from start to finish. It was designed by Swedish Chef Kjell Kollin, Executive Chef at the Forest Food Hall, Swedish Pavilion, Expo2020 Dubai. To view the menu please click here.

Hostesses dancing on to the stage to Schottis from Bingsjö

The third course was a selection of cheeses, which were provided by Mons Cheesemongers and the only Cheese Artisan in Dubai, Philippe Caillouet, who were even there in person to make sure the cheese was cut in the specific way of Mons Cheesemongers. The cheeses were also enjoyed with a mini baguette from the Swedish company, Viking Bageri.

And of course, a Swede is not happy unless they have had a piece of liquorice so with the tea and coffee the guests were offered some chocolates by Lakrids by Bülow, the Danish liquorice company also based in Dubai.

Apart from the delicious food, the guests enjoyed fantastic music from back in the day, ABBA, and it finished with the legendary late Avicci. All music was performed by Lisette Uhlmann and some of the songs were accompanied by Mohamad Hamami on violin, an instrument close to our Swedish hearts.

The President of the Swedish Business Council, Pauline Madani, held a speech about the Swedish Business Council and the community it has created. Pauline also thanked The Ambassador of Sweden to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Bahrain, Mr Henrik Landerholm for his time serving as the Ambassador. The Ambassador received a photo of a UAE falcon by Swedish Photographer Agneta Ekstrand, Lingon Photos.

Mr Landerholm followed with a speech about what Swedish export has meant for the UAE during the past year and what the Swedish National Day means to Sweden. Mr Landerholm also introduced Mr Jan Thesleff, Commission General, Swedish Pavilion, Expo2020 Dubai also present in the room.

A traditional Dalahäst arrived on a truck earlier during the day which was part of the event. It was created by our corporate member K4. And as a thank you to Chef Kollin and to wish the Swedish Expo Team good luck the horse has now found a new home at the Swedish Pavilion.

Thank you to all the guests who made this evening a great, fun night to remember. And thank you to all sponsors as without you this event would not have been possible.

Marin Modin, Jan Thesleff, Kjell Kollin, Joakim Kihlström

Gott & Blandat from the evening. We created a QR code which the guests could scan during the dinner to get a better understanding of what was happening and why. Please click here to read more about for example why the main course Veal Oskar is called what it is called. And why we had a Dalahäst at the venue.