High School Graduation. 

Here , like in the States, it is high school graduation season.   But of course, the local flavor is a little different. 

Firstly, the Swedish term for high school is gymnasium.   I looked up the etymology of the word gymnasium and it looks like the Swedish and American use of the term is equally legitimate.   I am very glad however that I found out that here it means high school, as I was intending to go into one of the many that are in our area and ask about membership.  And no, I am not kidding.

 According to two different websites that I check out (so if these numbers aren't exactly correct, you still get the idea)  71% of Swedish teens graduate from high school (which is similar to the U.S. graduate rate of 72%).  As college costs are covered by the socialist tax system ~76% of Swede's attend university. 

A typical gift for a graduate is money (of course) or, especially for a girl, something for her apartment, as she is probably moving out of her families home relatively soon.  

How Swede's celebrate etc.

Rather than the mortar board that Americans are familiar with, the Swede's wear a cap that looks like the one depicted here in this high school graduation cake displayed in a shop window.

The Swedish colors are everywhere - as opposed to individual school colors. 

The students appear to dress up, with girls in white or ivory dresses and boys in blue suit jackets and slacks.    All dressed up , waving their flags and with bullhorn and whistles in hand, they walk through the streets shouting and whistling in glee that they are done.  

.   Traditionally, the students ride in an old car, Like a model T, with flags waving.   

 As those old cars are getting harder to come by these days, I saw many on the backs of large pick-up trucks riding through the streets.

It is all in good fun.