Diplomatic Events

 

The Ambassadorial residence and garden was decorated by flags and flowers both yellow and blue being Sweden's national colours. Inside the residence there was an impressive exhibition of posters  of Swedish Jewish women including a variety of professions including Nelly Sachs, Sweden Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature, Rissa Seidou, a Police Officer, Lenka Rothman, a visual artist, writer and sculptor, Anna Rock, founder of Stockholm's Jewish school, Dorothea Broomberg, a publisher, Emma Charlotte Jacobson, Doctor of Botany and founder of Bohus Knitting, Anna Warburg, Preschool pioneer and kindergarten leader as well as a philanthropist, Jessica Meier, Astronaut and lastly Lisa Meitner a physicist in nuclear physics and radioactivity.  

 

A robot with two arms called YuMi was on display. Creating an automated future together as a result of years of research, making collaboration between humans and robots a reality,  ABB had developed a collaborative dual arm, small parts assembly robot solution including flexible hands, parts feeding systems, camera - based part location and state of the art robot motion control.     

 

A jazz quintet from the Ramon School of Music located on the residence's roof played mainstream jazz and traditional Swedish tunes.

 

Mr. Adam Rybo, the Embassy of Sweden's Deputy Head of Mission was Master of Ceremonies who introduced himself and welcomed everyone present stating the safety protocol in case of an attack. He stated that the Embassy arranged an exhibition both in the residence and in the garden celebrating Sweden's rich Jewish history and culture which was established 250 years ago.

 

Sweden and Israel's national anthems were sung by Keren and Doron accompanied her on guitar who later played "Eda's Summer Song" which is sung by school children on the last day of school describing summer as a metaphor.

 

H.E. Ms. Alexandra Rydmark spoke ebulliently and mentioned that eight years ago she was based in Tel Aviv as Sweden's Deputy Head of Mission but this year it is the first time that she is hosting a national day reception as Ambassador. Sweden has enjoyed 200 years of peace with its neighbours and our country emphasises the importance of women's rights, press freedom, LGBT rights, a given and sustainable green future and a competitive business sector which is reflected in the celebration of our national day being a source of pride and reflection. 

She quoted Rachel Goldberg, mother of  the slain hostage, Josh Goldberg, from her speech at Yeshiva University , N.Y.,  "In This Life We Are What We Do" being a personal and collective call for moral rectitude. Sweden has been a member of NATO for one year. The brutality of 7 October 2023 is incompatible and we extend our deepest sympathies. All hostages have to be immediately and unconditionally released. The need for humanitarian aid in Gaza is a dire need that Sweden and the E.U.are aware of and the past towards a sustainable future depends on two peoples living together in peace. It is important for Israel and Sweden to join forces as the two countries have a deeply rooted relationship manifested in its trade, economic, cultural and diplomatic relationship shared by common values. In Europe, antisemitism is sadly on the rise and safeguarding Jewish life is a priority for Sweden. Sweden has pledged a 10 year programme and is committed to fight antisemitsm in Sweden to the end. June the 6th, is Sweden's national day is a time of possibilities and concomitant to the start of summer. Celebrating "250 years of Jewish life in Sweden"  goes back to Aaron Isaac, Sweden's first Jew who was a seal engraver and came from Germany. He was allowed to live in Sweden without converting to Christianity and years later proceeded to establish a Jewish community in an exclusive Lutheran country. The Ambassador concluded her speech by thanking everyone present and especially her dedicated and committed Embassy staff.  

 

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Adam Rybo introduced the photographic exhibition of  posters of Jewish youth in Sweden entitled "Proud Jews" and interviewed Naima Grossman, the General Secretary of Swedish National Jewish Youth who was invited from Stockholm to the reception. She said that the exhibition which ran in Sweden for a year was intended to be a space safe on the internet and to expose Jewish life to Swedish society. An umbrella of 22 organizations as far as Malmo are associated with "Swedish National Jewish Youth".   In the past year, Jewish life for Sweden's youth has increased with summer camps, outings, boating, laser dome and political activism. He also expressed his appreciation to all companies for sponsoring the reception and for their long term loyalty.  

 

Present were many ambassadors, diplomats, high ranking state officials including  Mr. Gil Haskel, Chief of State Protocol at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ahuva Spieler, Head of the Foreign Ministry's Europe Division, Mr. Aviram Givoni, CEO of Givoni Consulting, Max Grunberg, a member of the Raoul Wallenberg Committee, Yael Lazar, VP Research and Development of Tema and Ms. Ayala Meitav, Senior Project Manager for International Relations of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality.

 

A sumptuous buffet including traditional Swedish food such as meatballs, baked salmon, beans, potato puree as well as a kosher corner was served. For dessert there was Swedish chocolate and also traditional Swedish pastries with cinnamon .

 

 Diplomacy.co.il  extends its heartfelt congratulations to  H.E. Ms Alexandra Rydmark,   the Governement , the people of Sweden and all Embassy staff and many thanks for a memorable reception.