EVS

My Semla Obsession

My Semla Obsession

Tomorrow will be Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday) and that means you must do two things: 1. Have a semla! 2. Have more semlor (plural form). Semla is a Swedish cream-filled bun traditionally consumed in January-February, around Carnival period. In Finnish is called laskiaispulla and it is popular all over Scandinavia and Baltic region. The bun has its top cut off, and is then filled with almond paste and topped with whipped cream. Here is a video (in Swedish) about the best places to have a semla in Stockholm. Although I am personally one…Read more
An Unexpected Statue

An Unexpected Statue

Last week I went to Nizhnij Novgorod for a training course for the EVS project (training which involved several volunteers, where we discussed various issues relating to the project and the volunteer’s integration in the society of the host Country from many points of view). Coming back from “hot” Nizhnij Novgorod, I found myself again in Krasnoyarsk with an average temperature of -26°. It’s not the only surprise. On the contrary, should not even be. “Federica, you’re in Siberia. What do you expect?”Sure, I did not expect to return to work the following…Read more
Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

Cultural Differences: Italy VS Russia

It has been more than three months that I live in Krasnoyarsk and, in the past time, I have been twice in St. Petersburg and once in Moscow. Take what follows as a personal observation, due to a variety of trips and daily life spent in the greatest Country in the world. The first question they asked me when arrived in Krasnoyarsk: have you felt any kind of cultural shock? My answer, in general, is no. Maybe because I already lived in Russia, I know the traditions, and I know exactly what to…Read more
My first months in Krasnoyarsk

My first months in Krasnoyarsk

It is two months I am in Krasnoyarsk, and I am enjoying the city, people and my work so much! At the beginning of July, I have been with my host Aygul and her family to dacha. That was a great experience! For those who do not know, dacha is not a simple country house. Russian people go there both to escape the city, both to work. The culture of dachas is a kind of compensation to a city dweller for the cramped living conditions… There, in the embrace of nature, people enjoy…Read more
Siberia, here I am!

Siberia, here I am!

Hello everyone! My name is Federica and I am the new EVS volunteer at Interra NGO in Krasnoyarsk. I am from Valenza Po, a small town in Piedmont, in the North of Italy. Valenza is an international goldsmith centre, specialized in jewellery production, cradle of the secular handcraft tradition I studied Foreign Languages at the University of Pavia, a town in Lombardy, not so far from Milan. I am specialized in English, French and Russian. I have always been interested in Russian culture, which is why I chose to study that language. This…Read more
Come find me in Stockholm!

Come find me in Stockholm!

Hi! My name is Lorenzo, I am from Italy. I’ve been working in Stockholm at More Mosaic NGO as an EVS volunteer. I studied Languages and International Relations in Turin, my city. Suddenly I felt like I was tired of studying and I wanted to have a learning-by-doing experience before starting a job or any other adventure. So, when a friend told me about this opportunity I seized it immediately. I wanted to work in a multicultural environment and challenge myself. I am interested in European cooperation and most of all… I love…Read more
Hitta mig i Eken!

Hitta mig i Eken!

Over the years, a city gets several different nicknames, such as a person. I was intrigued by Stockholm’s names. Some were just created to attract foreign tourists, such as the Venice of the North. I don't like it because every city is unique. The actual reason for it is that Ragnar Östbergs’ work was influenced by Venice’s buildings such as Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and St. Mark’s Church and he is best known for designing Stockholm City Hall. Stockholm is also called “the Capital of Scandinavia”, but I don’t want to irritate anyone…Read more
Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Italy vs. Sweden – What do we have in common?

Let’s get straight to the point: everyone can tell the obviously visible differences between Italy and Sweden. I mean, you don't need my blog to learn how bitter is snus - a deadly combination between a nicotine patch and a tea bag (seriously, how can you become addicted to this?!). But knowing the little similarities …that’s a whole another story. Strangely enough we may have shared a couple of Viking kings when the Normans invaded Southern Italy (but who didn't at that time?) and we have more things in common then you may…Read more
Visiting Stockholms Stadsbibliotek

Visiting Stockholms Stadsbibliotek

I’ve always been kind of an architecture enthusiast and I can assure that this city never disappoints you when it comes to architecture and design. The Stockholm Public Library literally amazed me. It is located near Odenplan metro station, in a very cool and stylish neighbourhood that perfectly fits this architectural jewel. It is called the Stadsbiblioteket and was designed by the mostly reknown representative of Nordic Classicism and Modernism of the 1920s, Erik Gunnar Asplund. If putting together the words Classicism and Modernism might sound strange to your ear, that’s what this…Read more
SWEDEN… let’s talk about holidays!

SWEDEN… let’s talk about holidays!

If you have worked in Sweden or with Swedes for some reasons, from time to time you might have received an automatic response similar to this one: “Hej! I will be on holiday from the 20th of June to the 29th of August. During this time I will not be able to check my email regularly …but if it’s important, you can tweet me using #YOUAREINTERRUPTINGMYVACATION” (or some other comments considered to be funny). Usually it happens when you have just sent a very important email that took you an average of an…Read more
The Path to Integration in Södertälje

The Path to Integration in Södertälje

This interview is part of my research on migration, integration and extremism in Sweden, within the frame of the project SCOPE – ‘Strengthening Youth Capacity for Conflict Management and Peace-Building’, implemented by More Mosaic NGO and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. I discovered the Syriac Orthodox Church in Sweden by chance: living in and commuting from Södertälje, it’s almost impossible not to see the two big churches of the community and not to meet anyone who has Syrian origins. This lead me to speak with the archbishop – Mor…Read more