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SWEDEN EXPLAINED

Tabloid words, Vikings and childcare: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Naked shock and other tabloid words, Viking kings inspiring new technologies, what to do if you get arrested, coordination numbers, cost of childcare and investing in Sweden... here are six must-reads from The Local about life in Sweden.

Tabloid words, Vikings and childcare: Essential articles for life in Sweden
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Have you ever heard of Sweden’s tabloid words, often seen splattered across the front page of newspapers such as Expressen and Aftonbladet? Here’s our article explaining these words and where you’re most likely to find them:

You may have heard of the Viking king who gave his name to Bluetooth, but do you know the story behind the name and how exactly Harald Bluetooth’s name ended up being used for the tech? Find out below.

Obviously, we all hope this will never happen to us, but do you know what happens if you get arrested in Sweden as a foreigner? Here’s our explainer running through all the details in case you ever need it.

Some people living in Sweden don’t qualify for personal numbers and are given a coordination number instead. What are these numbers and how do they work?

Childcare in Sweden is much cheaper than some parts of the world, but just how does it compare to other countries? Here’s a rundown, including some of the other countries covered by The Local.

Finally, how do you invest in Sweden? What kinds of bank account do you use? How are your investments taxed? Here’s our guide.

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SWEDISH HISTORY

Sweden splashes out to save its unluckiest warship

Sweden is embarking on a colossal four-year project to safeguard a nearly 400-year-old warship that is the centrepiece of its famous Vasa Museum.

Sweden splashes out to save its unluckiest warship

The ship, one of Stockholm’s main tourist attractions, sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and remained at the bottom of the sea until it was salvaged in 1961.

“We want Vasa to be preserved for the future,” project manager Peter Rydebjörk told AFP.

Despite the long delicate recovery operation, the ship “started to deteriorate faster” once it emerged from the sea after three centuries, he said.

In one of the most embarrassing naval calamities ever, the Vasa capsized only 15 minutes into its maiden voyage because of a design flaw, costing the lives of several dozen crew members.

Stopping the movement

After being protected by mud and the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea for three centuries, preserving it while on display at one of Stockholm’s most popular museums has proved more complicated.

The wood has contracted over the years, and the ship is being compressed due to gravity. It is also tilting slightly to port.

“We have to stop the movement,” Rydebjörk said.

Work on building a new support structure began in April to replace the fragile current one.

The first phase of the project, dubbed “Stötta Vasa” (Support Vasa), is to stabilise the wreck.

Then comes the creation of a structure to support its weight and finally the ship will be righted.

Steel skeleton

By 2028 — if all goes well — the hull will be supported both externally and internally and the current 17 external struts will be replaced by 27 steel cradles with fixings under the keel.

Because the Vasa currently has difficulty supporting its own weight, a type of steel skeleton will be installed inside the ship.

Rydebjörk said it has taken more than a decade of research to prepare for the ambitious project — which is expected to cost upwards of 200 million kronor ($19 million).

“It’s a really interesting job,” Rydebjörk added.

Despite its age, the ill-fated vessel is still well-preserved, with 98 percent of the original parts intact.

Polish tourist Lukasz Szyszka told AFP that the ship was in great condition and worth seeing, despite it being “freezing inside” the museum.

Its main hall is kept at a temperature of between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius (between 64 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit) with a humidity level of 55 percent to slow the deterioration.

The 43-year-old shopkeeper said work on the wreck was needed, saying it was also part of Polish history.

Swedish king Gustav II Adolf (1611-1632), who commissioned the Vasa, wanted to use it so he could to control Poland’s ports on the Baltic.

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