At 12.00 on Saturday 24 June 2023 , the entry from Medborgarplatsen in Södermalm starts. Through the city, country jacks, musicians, burghers and valley people march via Slussen, Söderport and Skeppsbron and then march up Slottsbacken towards the Royal Palace. In the middle of the train, the newly elected King Gustav Eriksson Vasa in 1523 rides surrounded by his bodyguard. Just behind follows the modern Life Guard in the guard parade, with roots in Gustav Vasa's bodyguard.

At 13.15 , a high guard detachment with historical elements takes place in the outer courtyard, after which Gustav Eriksson takes over the Stockholm Castle. Just like he did 500 years earlier. King for an independent Sweden.

Program at Stortorget

At 14.00 , the program continues at Stortorget with, among other things, the following program items:

Speech by Gustav Vasa Landsknektsuppshow
Song and music
Mint beating, see Gustav Vasa's
silver money is beaten again
Speech by Herman Lindqvist

The day ends with a march through the alleys of Gamlas stan with King Gustav Vasa together with jacks and troopers as all 1500s-dressed people are welcomed to participate. Registered participants end the evening with a joint guild in the evening.

Where can I see the entry?

At Medborgarplatsen
Here you can talk to a country jack, knock on a harnesk or maybe get close to King Gustav Eriksson himself. A throng of 1500s personalities will be here before the 12 noon march.

Along Skeppsbron
Here you can see the train in its entirety, from country jacks and musicians to King Gustav himself on horseback and valley people in contemporary clothes. At the Golden Bridge stronghold in the Old Town, you will be able to see the handover of the city's keys that the custom offered – the mayor of Stockholm symbolically hands over the keys to the country's newly elected king.

Outer courtyard
Here, a solemn changing of the guard takes place in the presence of King Gustav Eriksson Vasa. Much of the historic entry will also defile past.

Why celebrate the arrival?

Each nation has a story of its own origin, a story of the country's creation – either in a distant antiquity or in a modern historical context. These stories are filled with meaning that often forms the foundation for national days and celebrations of various kinds. France has the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the United States the signature of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In Sweden, the election of Gustav Vasa as king on June 6, 1523 has become the reason for our national day celebrations. A suitable choice as Gustav Eriksson's war of liberation created the conditions for an independent Sweden, which became the starting point for the modern Sweden we know is today.

The entry into Stockholm three weeks after the royal election in Strängnäs is the last chapter of the liberation struggle where the country's most important city is now Gustav Vasa's to take possession of. The grand entry will be a celebration of a victorious lord but also a proud parade of a people who have risen up against the oppression of foreign rulers. This day is therefore worth celebrating as a symbol of country in freedom without occupation.

The day has been depicted by history painters and national romantics. Now, 500 years later, we want to make our re-creation of an important day in Sweden's history. A day open to anyone who thinks this is worth celebrating. A celebration of peace, freedom and the right of each country to shape its own destiny.