Washington State and the Swedish Consulate Proclaim May 2-9 'Sweden Week'

SEATTLE, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Swedish Consulate announces "Sweden Week," a weeklong celebration May 2 through 9, 2010, honoring the strong and enduring relationship between the Kingdom of Sweden and Washington State.  Sweden Week celebrates the 100th anniversary of Swedish Hospital and the 101st anniversary of the founding of University of Washington's Scandinavian Department. "Sweden Week" will be officially proclaimed during a public grand opening event on May 2.

"Sweden's enduring influence can be seen all around the Pacific Northwest – from food and music to culture and business," said Lars Jonsson, Sweden's honorary Consul to Washington State and founder of Sweden Week. "With both Swedish Hospital and the U.W. Scandinavian Department commemorating centennials, 2010 is a perfect time to celebrate."

Among the week's highlights is a noteworthy Seattle Nobel Tribute honoring the six local laureates awarded the esteemed prize for research conducted at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.  Rising-star Swedish chefs will prepare the invitation-only dinner.  Swedish and Seattle VIPs will be in attendance.

A business-to-business matchmaking event – the Sweden Week Business Focus Edays Special Edition – will focus on the topics of Clean Tech / Sustainable Development, Medical Technologies and Global Health, and Mobility and Information Technology.  The event will assemble entrepreneurs, CEOs, venture capitalists, keynote speakers, government officials and policy-makers from both Sweden and the U.S.

"In unison with the Swedish Consulate in Seattle, the Swedish Embassy, the Nordic Heritage Museum and the Swedish Cultural Center, the State of Washington proudly proclaims May 2 through 9, 2010, as 'Sweden Week,'" said Governor Gregoire.  "In addition to the weeklong celebration, we look forward to welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden and His Excellency the Swedish Ambassador to the United States Mr. Jonas Hafstrom to the Emerald City."

There will be many opportunities for the public to experience Sweden as well, including:

• The official "Sweden Week" grand opening, May 2, featuring Swedish food and entertainment.
• An "Arctic Summer" Nordic fashion show, May 8, hosted by the Nordic Heritage Museum.
• Free public lectures, May 3-6, presented by the UW Scandinavian Department in celebration of its 100-year anniversary.
• A special Swedish film screening at SIFF.  
• A cook-off between top Swedish and Seattle chefs, May 3.  
• A Swedish-themed cooking class given by top Swedish culinary experts, May 4.

For more information about Sweden Week, including a detailed schedule of events and registration, please visit http://www.swedenweek.org.

SOURCE Swedish Consulate