Fika

Definition: Originally used as a Swedish verb meaning "to go out for coffee," the word fika can also be used as a noun ("coffee break").

 

It is standard in Sweden to invite friends to fika every few hours during the work day.

 

One's coffee is... normally accompanied with a small snack such as a sweet bread, cinnamon roll, or piece of cake.

Pronunciation: FEE-ka

Examples: Let's go fika at that new café near the university.

Swedes consider having a coffee an important part of the culture. You can fika at work by taking a “coffee break”, fika with someone like a “coffee date”, or just drink a cup of coffee. As such, the word has quite ambiguous connotations, but almost always including something to eat, such as cookies, cakes and even candy, accompanied by a drink. This practice of taking a break, typically with a cinnamon roll or some biscuits or cookies, or sometimes a smörgås or a fruit on the side, is central to Swedish life, and is regularly enjoyed even by government employees.

How often do you Fika?  Out at a coffee or tea house or at home?  How about having cookies or other special treats to serve for Fika?  Share your stories, I would love to hear about your traditions.

 

Our Scandinavian Roots

My Great-Grandfather, Carsten Kilde
immigrated from Amot, Norway in 1886

As Scandinavians, we have a long and proud history. We are a people, who through hard work and toil, have found a peaceful and harmonic way of living in the United States. A people who are born with roots to nature that grants them life, livelihood and inspiration. Our history is the foundation of our heritage. We are considered strong and hearty people, especially because of our work ethic.  Our ancestors who “Came to Amerika” during the Great Immigration of the 19th century clustered together in sizeable settlements throughout the Midwest, specifically in larger cities like Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL; and Omaha, NE. At the turn of the century, Minneapolis was the 3rd largest Swedish populated city in the world. These settlements preserved distinctive language, religious and ethnic traditions and celebrations that transmitted a sense of identity for second, third, fourth, and now fifth generations of US born descendants of those immigrants. These emotional attachments to the homeland of origin have lingered and continue to be celebrated, and the stories pasted down, to the younger generations of Scandinavians.

What is your Scandinavian heritage? How do you celebrate? Have you or another family member done any ancestor research to learn more about your immigrant grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents?  What have you discovered?