Embassy of Sweden

The House of Sweden’s Christmas Bazaar 2014 rocked and rolled big time!
It was fabulously festive and entrance was free.
Held at the Embassy of Sweden’s complex, located on the waterfront of Georgetown, there was a very light mist rising off the Potomac River during the bazaar’s activities. That mist was visible from the ground floor and made for an enchanting backdrop.
I’d go back in a flash just to buy more of the outrageous Swedish beef sausages that were for sale – THEY WERE TO DIE FOR.
The open-​face sandwiches were the bomb – mine featured smoked salmon that I dream of.
The coffee was strong and flavorful. It was Sweden’s own Gevalia brand, a dark roast, and put me into outer space. Honey, NASA ain’t got nothing on you.
Bought me an adorable, hand-​whittled moose ornament for the Christmas tree at the craft exhibition.
Purchased some crispy, authentic ginger snaps at the vendor tables.
The raffle was unbelievable – prizes galore and only $ 2 a ticket.
The young ladies’ chorus, singing traditional carols like «Santa Lucia», was lovely.
House of Sweden – Your «Valkomna» was OUTSTANDING!
BACK AT U!
(And, please, have those same sausages for sale next year!)

The House of Sweden has a beautiful view of the Potomac River, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Georgetown. I was here for a reception, which featured local DC artists. The venue is great for showcasing art, and there is a lot of natural light. However, the House of Sweden is strict about no red wine allowed for events (perhaps to avoid accidental spills).

Wow, yesterday I went to see Timbuktu & Damn! what an amazing event and venue. The place is easy to get to. The entire House of Sweden is clean. I will attend events there in the future for sure.

Amazing! I got my Schengen visa in 2 days. Had my appointment on Monday afternoon, and on Thursday got email, that visa was issued. Everybody were so helpful and nice. But you have to call to schedule your appointment way before, it may be 2 – 3 weeks till they have soonest opening to fit you in.

I meet the Swedish diplomats in TJs deli sometimes. A very nice bunch (Sweden is one of my dream countries, so progressive).
Our office held an event in their embassy. It was beautiful and the dinner was fabulous, with great service (the waiters did that thing where they surround your table and then put all of the plates down at the same time-​I love that!).

Don’t miss the interactive sound walk!

It was my first time inside the Embassy of Sweden. A friend and I came to see the fashion photography art exhibit Different Distances, this is a celebration of Swedish women photographers’ art that has been interpreted as high fashion; many of the pieces have been featured in Elle, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Acne Paper, and many other notable fashion magazines. I just want to start by saying this place is in every way Swedish (don’t laugh): but it is modern, sleek, state of the art, creative, as well as efficient. The exhibition was free on the lower level, featuring works from Martina Hoogland Ivanow, Julia Hetta, Denis Grunstein, Elizabeth Toll, and Julia Peirone.
Nicely arranged starting off with one of the more popular photographers; Toll’s work uses a delicate balance of free movement by way of digital photography, my favorites were, well just about all of them. In direct contrast, Ivanow’s work showcased a series of mysterious women with shaded faces; camouflaged by a sort of pattern or tapestry. So you really had to sit back and analyze what may or may not be going on in her collection. I like puzzles so I thought her work was very interesting.
There is a lot more I could say, but in short, Different Distances is really worth checking out and will be at the embassy until December 8^th. The title Different Distances really speaks of different perspectives that we have, as curator Greger Ulf Nilson, said «Reality is personal and subjective. Our ways of seeing reality are governed by our longing, our dreams, and nightmares». Here are 5 different female artists, born in the early 70’s (with the exception of Denise Grunstein 1950) and all of these women have a strikingly unique outlook.
After viewing the exhibit Kate, our very kind and engaging tour guide met us on the main level and took us up to the rooftop, to show us a spectacular view of the Georgetown waterfront. This place just has a delightful low-​key cool, that is so hip and inviting. I could live here– literally this could be my home.
There are also, lots of wonderful displays of Swedish impact on American Culture, a lot of what some may think are American archetypes actually began with the Swedish. For instance there was a write up on the log cabin, and how it was invented. And, John Nordstrom’s immigrant story of how he came to America with $ 5, no sales experience, teamed up with his shoe maker friend, and in 1901 the well-​known department store Nordstrom was born.
Go hang out and learn. It’s a great space that is designed to really glorify nature. This is the perfect place to draw inspiration and information if you are into design, architecture, and fashion. They give lectures and talks on these subjects regularly.

I went to House of Sweden for a concert this weekend and had a good time. The concert itself was fun. I’m going to check out more of the events because the space and atmosphere were nice.
Before the concert, I had a chance to briefly look at the exhibits they had upstairs. I also liked the aesthetic (modern and minimalist with metal and water) and the views.

the cleanest public bathrooms in georgetown!!! ok, that and. it’s actually a pretty cool AND FREE TO PUBLIC museum on all things sweden — home décor and electronics on the top floor and arts on the bottom. really great view of the potomac river from here. definitely worth a stop and look see. the architecture itself is worth the walk!

The stylish, snazzy and eye-​catching House of Sweden is definitely the embassy to visit — if you run across an event being held there or get wind of one of their exhibits make a point to make it down to the Georgetown waterfront to check them out.
The main lobby area is spacious with a separate area for their exhibits detailing various aspects of Swedish culture — and oh can I note the very modern and eye-​popping furniture that complements the sleek, open design of the overall embassy?
Take a walk down the stairs and you’ll run across a few more exhibit areas, a relaxing indoor water feature, an event hall, and a snazzy sitting area in the middle so you can take a load off and take it all in. I visited this embassy during the EU Open house event so all of the exhibits were open and staff members mingled about with guests asking questions about the embassy, general questions about Sweden and travel. One thing I have to point out — try out the Sound Walk if you can. It’s meant for kiddos but it’s a totally interesting trippy experience.

It was fine. We watched Eurovision here. Friendly staff. Fun atmosphere.

I attended a very nice event at the Embassy of Sweden it had a great location right by the water. Also known as the Swedish house with ikea furniture and designs. The hors d’œuvres were a showcase of Swedish cuisine such as maatjes (soused herring) and meatballs one section of the food was displayed on moss giving the presentation a very earthy and organic impression. There were very interesting art installation at the Swedish house. Very lovely event!

I absolutely love this embassy! It is like a real-​life Ikea!
I’ve been in several times to celebrate the Swedish Christmas Bazaar and also to take a peek during European Embassy Day. The structure is gorgeous — all sleek with glass and water wherever you look. It has an equally fabulous rooftop overlooking Arlington, the Kennedy Center, and Georgetown along the Potomac.
If you ever have any excuse to go inside — DO IT!

Modern and classy. And hate to say it, but looks like IKEA

December 13, 2011 I attended the Lucia Reception here at the House of Sweden. This is a beautiful, spacious building with some lovely, warm, friendly people inside.
You guys will have to wikipedia the legend of Santa Lucia just like I did prior to attending the reception but it involves a blind woman wearing candles on her head providing guiding light to others. There was none of that in all actuality at this reception. Except for a few images of such in the slideshow, which was great because bottles of Absolut (being consumed) and blind women with candles on their heads are really not a good mix in a contained space if you get my drift.
Speaking of spirits, there was PLENTY to lift anyone’s spirits. A full bar (clear or light liquids only, as the floor of the embassy stains easily), a pickled herring bar, a gravlax and cheese bar, a full hot bar, and a dessert bar. The food and drink was LAID OUT.
The Embassy was beautifully decorated. And there was even live entertainment: a children’s choir. Oh the voices were so beautiful.
I sure do hope I am invited to next year’s Lucia Party because this one was as good as it gets!

Beautiful venue and beautiful views! Would love to have the opportuntity to plan an event here. The incredibly stylish and amazing design incorporates many elements reminiscent of Sweden.

The National Association of Science Writers hosted a bad-​ass party in this space. I’m not sure what all goes into planning events here (hence why I’m not a Unilocal CM or something). I’m going to assume it ain’t cheap because the DC Science Writers were proud of raising nearly 60 Gs in order to host a party here.
It’s multi-​level, suggestively-​lit, has sweet water falls and rivers throughout it, and is just plain fucking sexy to look at. Everyone looks like a sexy bitch in this space… especially drunk science writers on a dance floor. (Seriously people, we put your favorite club kids to shame).
My only complaint is that it’s a little cramped for buffet space… we had a bit of a doozy getting our food.

I’ve never had many Swedish friends but if i did and they happened to invite me over to their house to hang out, I would imagine it would be an experience somewhat to the one I had when I went to the House of Sweden the other week. They’d have a really sweet house situated along the Potomac River (something that looks straight out of an Ikea catalogue– an industrial designer’s dream: a house made of wood and/​or glass– and how it’s still standing is a mystery!), be extremely hospitable and be into really cool, eclectic music. Sound awesome? Probably because it is.
I’ve been coming to the House of Sweden for quite some time now for their free shows they hold every month or so. Of the artists I’ve seen live there, I’ve only heard of maybe 1 or 2 of the artists but honestly, every person I’ve seen live who I hadn’t heard of prior to seeing them there, has been great. Case in point: I saw a gal named Sofia Talvik last week and it was an awesome show. It’s a pretty small room (I would has it a guess that the max capacity is only about 100 or so people) and I’m convinced that seeing an artist in this intimate of an environment is the only way to go.
My advice though is: 1) join the email list (for show and event notifications) and 2) RSVP for events and shows early! (entrance is almost always by RSVP only).

I work in the building next door and while the House of Sweden is lovely (apart from the wood panels hanging on the balconies, which look like plastic veneer from a distance) and it is fun to say you work right next to Sweden, I am nevertheless knocking off a star because it blocks the river-​and-​monument view and because they occasionally have very loud outdoor parties with jazz bands when I am working late.
I did get the joy of looking out the window during a meeting once and seeing a very blonde, very built, very Swedish young male pop out of what must have been a gym or a corporate apartment onto the balcony, wearing nothing but a pair of wee bikini shorts, and stand around out there looking more or less nude for several minutes before he went back inside. Due to the placement of aforementioned plasticky looking wood panels, I could not tell he had anything on and internally went all «Woah!» but externally couldn’t react too much given that I was in a meeting and all.
I have been in the building itself during Embassy Tour day. I agree that it looks like a high-​class Ikea, then again this is no surprise if you have been in the other Nordic embassies around town. There were very interesting interactive environmental exhibits on the ground floor with many children enjoying them. For the grown-​ups, the view from the top glassed-​in roof is a must-​see.

What to do when your half-​Swedish evil twin drops off the face of the earth and can’t host Midsummer Festival parties or take you to the Swedish Christmas Bazaar at a local church? Life goes on and you should find ways to fill those Swedish voids in your life, not that you don’t miss your evil twin dearly. Fortunately, the House of Sweden is there for you with the Midsummer Festival in June and the Swedish Christmas Bazaar in December.
At the Midsummer Festival (12−5pm) this past year, they had a full lineup of activities including paint your own Dala horse, Maypole dancing, tastings of Dalarna regional foods, symphony orchestra concert by DalaSinfoniettan and the soprano, Hilevi Martinpelto. The Dala horse painting was more geared towards children, but plenty of adults signed up on the waiting list. Yes, there was a waiting list for coveted seats with access to paints for your wooden horse you purchased for $ 1. The Red House exhibition was fun to look at and there was another room of trippy short films. What was cooler was that some of the props and costumes from the short films were also on display. My friends enjoyed picking their favorites in the orchestra and the soprano, Hilevi Martinpelto, dressed in this light blue dress was fantastic. Not only did she have a beautiful voice, but she seemed like a lovely, peaceful person which only enhanced her music. On our way out, a nice touch was that we received a flower as a souvenir of our visit.
The House of Sweden’s Swedish Christmas Bazaar (12−6pm) this afternoon was smaller than the Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Scandinavian Christmas Festival we went to last year. Suggested donation of $ 2 at the door was lower than the church’s staggered 2007 admission: $ 6 adults, $ 3 ages 6 — 12, $ 1 ages 2 — 6, free under 2, and $ 17 max per family. Bread, silver jewelry, Christmas ornaments, cookie cutters in the shape of Dala horses, table runners were some of the things you could buy. There were open faced sandwiches (shrimp, cheese, etc), cakes and coffee for sale downstairs. There was a room downstairs showing Pippi Longstocking with tables of coloring pages for the children.
The St. Lucia Procession started a little after 5:30pm. There were a couple children watching a dubbed version of Pippi Longstocking who were reluctant to leave the movie, but hopefully they enjoyed the Star Boys (I love those conical hats with stars!) and the young ladies in white gowns singing bilingual Christmas songs. If I were a member of the Swedish-​American community in the DC area, I probably would’ve gotten more out of this event. My friend overheard the people behind the table asking «Oh, is that so-and-so’s daughter?» so it seems like a thriving, tight knit community. Both the Midsummer Festival and Christmas Bazaar are good family events.