Culture and Heritage in Dalarna – travel to Dalarna and tag culture experiences.
To experience culture and Heritage in Dalarna is a must if you want to explore the Swedish “kulturarv” ( heritage) . The place to start is in the Lake Siljan region.
The people of Dalarna are proud of their culture. Traditions, festivities such as midsummer, their “folkdräkter” (traditional clothes which are typical to a village or a region) and outdoor music festivals are what makes Dalarna unique. In the summer you can also participate in outdoor church services.
Discover the everyday culture and the people that are keeping traditions alive. Tag culture experiences and its people.
The markets, arts & craft, shopping and heritage museums
Rättviks marknad is a market place with a long history. Twice a year the small town of Rättvik on the shores of the Lake Siljans is turned into a large outdoor market.
If you love classic cars check out Rättvik Classic Car Week.
For lovers of all old things visit the fantastic nostalgia and memory museum, Minnesmaskinen, in Rättvik. The museum is a true testimony to the passion of the locals to showcase Swedish modern history , both local and Swedish heritage items.
Find a Loppis ( flee market) or buy vintage at someone’s farmstead. Keep your eyes open, these places are not always open. The locals are often busy running several businesses at the same time. Around the lake Ore you can find your village flee market and second hand markets as the communities come together for a “By-Loppis” – villages flee markets.
If you want to support local shopping check out the Furudal in the Lake Siljan region. The “high street” might not be busy all year round but summertime the shops and the bakery are for sure open. Furudal is a great place to enjoy an active outdoor holiday in a small village.
“Folkpark” the history of Swedish popular entertainment
The folkpark or “people´s park” were important for the local entertainment sector for almost the entire 20th century. Local workers and the villagers came together to build them voluntarily .The popularity reached its peak in the 1950s and 60s when the parks attracted nationally popular artist. These parks are often centric and still attract people to different events. Of course music events but also other events such as arts & crafts markets, open-air markets and midsummer celebrations. Check out the itinerary to a local “folkpark ” that you can find all over Dalarna.
Hembygdsgårdar, Old Homestead Museums
Hembygd is the place where you or your ancestor were born and raised. In the center of Sweden, and in particular regions such as Dalarna and Hälsingland villagers and town associations run an old homesteads, as a reminiscence of old times , namely hembygdsgård . Great places to see arts & crafts and building skills of the local craftsmen and women throughout the history.
The forests in Dalarna
In Dalarna you are never far away from the forest. Get to know a local and they can take you out on mushroom or berry picking (they know where to find the goodies) or even others who know hunting.
The people of Dalarna have worked in the forest for centuries and you can learn more about how the forest has been an important source of income during the centuries.
If you like hiking and history we have the perfect hiking and heritage tour in an old-growth forest.
The lakes in Dalarna and an unique heritage experience – the church boats
Perhaps you are interested in fishing or just want to rent a boat and discover the deep lakes of Dalarna. A fantastic experience is to go along on a “church boat” on Sundays. There are also traditional church boat races.
Sports
Ice hockey is more than a sport in this part of Sweden. It is a life style. Get to know some of the clubs, as many of them offer summer schools for active players.
Another tradition is Vasaloppet, an annual cross-country skiing race of 90 km. It commemorates the escape, on skis, of Gustav Ericson (who became King Gustav Vasa) from Danish troops in 1520.
Popular sports in Dalarna, with a long traditions are, a part from ice hockey; bandy, skiing, skating, different motorsports and of course hiking.
The music in Dalarna- one of the unique heritage features.
The people of Dalarna enjoy meeting up around music. One of the most important happenings is the Midsummer celebration. All over Dalarna the local musicians join the celebration with traditional folk music.
In the summer time you can also find restaurants where they playpopular country style music. If you enjoy classic music check out the open air konsert hall /theatre of Dalhalla. It is located in a former limestone quarry. An amazing experience on a Swedish summer night.
There are many folk music festivals all over Dalarna. In the muncipality of Vansbro in the small town of Nås there is a folkpark with several events. Two such as festivals are Ingmarsspelen are happening and Tobaksspinnarstämman which is part of the regional festival week, ” Dalarnas Stämmoveckan “.
Nevertheless the folk music continues all over and all throughout the summertime. If you want to listen to or jam session with a local Ukulele band there are plenty of opportunities. Gunilla at Guidekullor kan help you to find one.
The farms and local food
Agriculture is not easy in this part of the world. Despite harsh conditions, it is always possible to find local food produced by local farmers in restaurants and farmers´markets (Reko-ringen). Also check out the summer grazing farms, situated in stunning nature. The locals pick mushroom and berried in the vast forests and the local dishes. Thanks to the Allemansrätt you are free to roam the forests. Always respecting the nature and the landowners of course.
Dalarna is a great place to find Husmanskost and quirky accommodation. A great place to stop is at the market place Knekten in Rättvik. The Nostalgia Heritage museum (for open hours see above link to Minnesmaskinen) and the restaurant serving Swedish traditional dishes Glimrande Lyktan. For great traditional bread try out the delicious bread from Snitths Hantverksbageri in the village of Furudal or Rättviks Tunnbrödsbageri o Handelsbod AB for freshly baked traditional Swedish flatbread.
