subject: Migrating South: Malta's Growing Swedish Community [print this page] A few years ago, the nearest most Maltese would come to the Swedish culture in Malta was either through overhearing some language students on the beach in summer months, or having having heard of Captain Olof Gollcher, OBE (1889-1962), the son of a wealthy shipping merchant of Swedish descent. Gollcher's former home in Malta's medieval capital Mdina is today an eclectic museum of his precious art and artefacts. As it happens, the Gollcher name lives on today in Maltas shipping and tourism sector.
Now though, Swedish is fast becoming the next language on Maltas streets alongside Maltese and English. The number of Swedish expats living here has mushroomed. Originally, there were perhaps just the retiree generations who moved to seek Maltas southern warmth, or a smattering of Swedes who married Maltese. Their numbers have swelled dramatically in the past five years with Swedes moving to Malta to work - thanks to Maltas EU membership - and often to take up jobs in the online gaming industry.
The Swedish community is active and close. Almost all newly-arriving Swedes seem to know the other Swedes who've been in Malta for years. Swedish expats soon get to know their compatriots in Malta.
Swedes also like to celebrate their key festivals while in Malta festivities were organised for Swedens National Day this year, 6 June, in a big way; the Swedish Club in Malta invited all Swedish nationals to join in a BBQ evening with friends and family at the Hilton in St Julians.
The Swedish Club was set up in 2009 to promote the cultural ties between Swedes living in Malta and the Maltese society. The club also wants to keep Swedish traditions alive. If youre a Swede in Malta, you might like to check out its activities.
