A Swedish Disney Christmas

Real Scandinavia is on hiatus over the holidays, but here's a great article from Slate about one of Sweden's more surprising Christmas traditions: the annual Disney special that captivates much of country for an hour every Christmas Eve. The author is right on the mark in his description and analysis of the Swedish love affair with Kalle Anka (Donald Duck). This is just how I remember it from my childhood - and from more recent Christmases in Sweden, too.

Nordic Quack

Sweden's bizarre tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve.

by Jeremy Stahl, Slate

Three years ago, I went to Sweden with my then-girlfriend (now-wife), to meet her family and celebrate my first Christmas. As an only partially lapsed Jew, I was not well-versed in Christmas traditions, and I was completely ignorant of Swedish customs and culture. So I was prepared for surprises. I was not prepared for this: Every year on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., half of Sweden sits down in front of the television for a family viewing of the 1958 Walt Disney Presents Christmas special, "From All of Us to All of You." Or as it is known in Sverige, Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul: "Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas."

Read the rest of this article at Slate

Here are some video clips from the annual Disney special: