May Blog

Have you heard the story about the hot dog vendor who had a son studying economics at the University of Uppsala?

One day this learned son came home and asked his father if he had heard about the bad times - the recession? No, the father did not know anything about this but now that he did, he would of course become more cautious and curtail his expenses. Every single purchase was closely scrutinized, and our korvgubbe even decided to make do with his old sign that had over time become a bit scruffy. And sure enough sales started dropping. With things looking like they did, the hot dog vendor stopped going out as much as he had done before.

And now he really understood how right his son had been about the bad times.

I found this story in an old editorial in Swedish Press from 1991 during another recession. It is reassuring to see that we did manage to ride that one out.

In the same vein Swedish Press, that was founded by some braves souls at the very worst of times, right at the beginning of the "dirty thirties," has, despite many close calls and near-collapses, managed to survive and is still going strong.

If we were to follow the advice of the most pessimistic of the ubiquitous pundits right now, we would be lying low and staying away from any extra expenses. But keeping to the Swedish Press tradition we are celebrating the publication’s 80th birthday this month with the "special supplement" (that you can keep as a memento by simply tearing out pages 3-16 and 29-42) and a fantastic party that you are all welcome to (see pages 8 and 39).

During times like we are now experiencing in North America and in Sweden, it is more important than ever to count our blessings. At Swedish Press we are especially grateful to the organizations, companies and institutions that are helping us to sponsor this jubilee, as well as to all readers who are joining in the celebration.

Because if it wasn’t for you, Swedish Press could so easily have gone the way of the more than 2 000 Swedish papers in North America that ceased publishing.

We don't need sons studying economics to tell us that times are bad. The important thing is that we handle the bad times in the most positive way.

Have a really nice May!

Anders

PS.

Go to www.nordicway.com if you want to have a look at a full colour and environmental Swedish Press (see page 2).