The Nutcracker in Sweden

21 December 2012

THE NUTCRACKER, SWEDISH-STYLE:

I am on the other side of the Atlantic now, but wanted to share this Swedish holiday tradition. Like many, I grew up with the tradition of attending Nutcracker performances and was eager to see the Nutcracker in Sweden. It’s a sell-out every year at the Royal Opera and if you have the chance to be in Stockholm for the holidays, go see the Swedish Royal Opera’s ballet performance of it. However, in the US, we’re familiar with the traditional Balanchine version. This Swedish version combines the traditional Nutcracker story with theElsa Beskow Swedish classic children’s book: Petter and Lotta’s Christmas (Petters och Lottas Jul). Spoiler alert: a straw Christmas goat replaces the nutcracker, in this version! Elsa Beskow’s children’s picture books are National treasures and this book is translated into English. If you are a Swede enthusiast, it’s a good one to add to your collection.
1) Petter and Lotta’s Jul/ Petter and Lotta’s Christmas by Elsa Beskow
2) The Nutcracker at the Stockholm, Royal Opera

SOMETHING YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Elsa Beskow
Kid Tested Stockholm
Decorating with Moss

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