From Sunrise to Summer Joy

Historical timber houses and modern life with grace, Trosa is a compact riverside town, home to roughly 7,300 people. Its origins trace back to the 14th century

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

On a luminous, lovely June morning in 2025, as golden light touched the rooftops of Nacka, the three of us—Pernilla, Gun Britt, and I—set out from Nacka, bound for a quaint treasure by the Baltic and a place endearingly nicknamed Världens ände, the “end of the world.” Trosa, a delightful tiny riverside town in Södermanland County, sits just far enough from Stockholm to feel like a secret, and just close enough to make a spontaneous escape.  Its name might raise eyebrows—trosa also means “panty” in Swedish—but this only adds to its quirky charm.

At around 20 °C under a clear sky, we drove south along the E4 highway, the sun already casting golden light over lush meadows and glimpses of still lakes. The early hour and open road felt like a quiet promise. No honking, no city rush—just us, the hum of the engine, and the unfolding countryside. It wasn’t just a drive; it was a slow exhale.

It takes a little more than an hour to reach there—a scenic journey that gently awakens the senses as you peel away from Stockholm’s urban hum. More than just a destination, it was an invitation: picture-postcard charm, canals tied with blooms, and the annual Trosa Fair / Marknad, organized by the Lions Club of Trosa—a celebration of summer’s official opening in this serene corner of Södermanland.

Trosa & Södermanland, Sweden’s Storybook Countryside: A Canvas of Nature and Heritage

Historical timber houses and modern life with grace, Trosa is a compact riverside town, about 3.6 km², home to roughly 7,300 people. Its origins trace back to the 14th century, and it received its city charter in 1454 from King Charles VIII. Post-glacial land uplift pushed the whole town closer to the mouth of the Trosa River in the early 1600s. While it was ravaged by the Russians in 1719, Trosa rebuilt, evolving from a fishing and trade center to one of Sweden’s wealthiest summer spots and beauty elites, one of the nation’s wealthiest municipalities where visitors come for its canals, pastel homes, and leisurely boats bobbing under quaint bridges. Trosa is often described as Sweden’s version of Venice. While that may sound ambitious, once you see its still canals and flower-draped wooden bridges, you understand the comparison.

The surrounding region of Södermanland is a mosaic of deep forests, lakes, and coastlines. It’s the land of the Sörmlandsleden—over 1,000 kilometers of hiking trails that weave past castles like Tullgarn, ancient churches, runestones, sleepy villages, and a laced archipelago, deep woodlands where every season whispers its narrative. Trosa itself lies along this trail, making it both a destination and a path. This is a land where history meets green silence, and where old stories seem to rise from the trees.

The Fair Begins: Lions Club & Community Spirit

Our main purpose was visiting the Trosa Marknad, a traditional summer fair arranged by Lions Club Trosa since 1959, held on the second Saturday in June. What began as a flea market with lotto booths was modernized in 1981, gradually growing to about 300 stalls and drawing up to 20,000 visitors annually.

Lions Club Trosa, part of the global Lions Clubs International, channels the fair’s proceeds into local community projects: support for the elderly, youth scholarships, sight-based programs, and humanitarian relief. It’s an event where service meets celebration and a nostalgic reunion all in one. By the time we arrived in Trosa, the morning sun had warmed the cobblestones, and parking was still easy since organizers arranged for extra parking and traffic diversions.

Entry to the Heart of the Fair & Childhood Echoes

As we entered and walked through the fairgrounds, warm sunlight and cheerful murmurs wrapped around us.  The sight triggered a wave of nostalgia instantly, and I was transported to my childhood visits to the “Melo of Shahpur Jahania,” those childhood fairs in Sindh. There, as here, markets and the temporary bright stalls weren’t just for buying—they were for belonging. The Trosa fair had the same energy: joyful chaos, laughter, friendly chatter, vendors calling, colors swirling everywhere, and the scent and aroma of food and treats dancing on the breeze. The joy was both different and the same. But the things I could not see and listen to, and missed, like at Shahpur Jahania’s melo, there were two-faced snakes or two-faced goats, where they shout, “Heaaa diso bii munhe bala, heaaa diso gorpat bala, heaa diso bin muhan ware bakri.” Moreover, I missed announcements like “Rupee meen glas a, Lahoti jo ailan aa.”

In Trosa, fair visitors were families, people of all genders and age groups—seniors, couples, dressed in summer clothes, sunglasses, caps, and smiles. Dogs padded along, loyally accompanying them. There were businesswomen and young professional girls among the visitors and organizers alike. But at Shahpur Jahania, the visitors used to be mostly men, or very young girls accompanied by their parents or brothers.

Treasures of Craftsmanship. A Tapestry of Handcrafted Wonders

The fair was a vibrant tapestry of craftsmanship from near and far. Hand-carved wooden spoons, rolling pins, cutting boards, and utensils gleamed with the care of skilled makers. Nearby, bamboo treasures—lightweight caskets and woven baskets—whispered of sustainability. A charming ceramics stall, run by an elderly woman, displayed cups, plates, and vases in subtle Nordic hues, each shaped by devoted hands; her lifelong hobby now a gift to grateful shoppers. Leather goods—satchels, wallets, belts, and even parachute-fabric pouches—lay neatly arranged, earthy and durable. Jewelry stalls sparkled with minimalist silver pendants, brass bracelets, beadwork, and rings that caught the sunlight just right.

One weaving stall drew passersby in with the rhythmic click of a small loom, where a woman wove woolen caps and scarves live on-site, threads crossing cultures. The aroma of handcrafted soaps, candles, and perfumes drifted through the air, blending with the sight of decorative rugs and textiles in warm tones. Garden tools—pruners, shears, planters—stood ready for green-thumbed visitors. Books signed by local authors lay beside folk instruments that invited curious hands to strum and play. And at the heart of the fair, an African craft booth offered hand-carved wooden elephants, monkeys, tribal masks, and necklaces, adding a global flair to the local charm.

“Each crafted piece is a quiet hymn—shaped by hands, fired by flame, steeped in stories. Not just goods, but soul and soil, culture made visible, love made tangible.”

Flavors & Feasts: A Global and Homemade Journey of Food and Community

From sizzling falafels, tacos, dumplings, and kebabs to Swedish classics like cinnamon buns, fresh breads, and biscuits, the air was rich with global aromas, while a mobile cheese-and-pickle truck—overflowing with olives and rustic flavors—echoed the spirit of Sindhi melai life; nearby, amber jars of local honey shimmered, beverage carts poured coffee, teas, and juices, and ice-cream stalls drew joyful queues under the rising sun.

Sampling the fair’s food was a journey of its own, but one of the most endearing moments was a cookie stall run by 12-year-old siblings, selling homemade cookies, cinnamon buns, coffee, and tea under the gentle supervision of their parents. Their earnest energy, cheerful smiles, and sense of responsibility made it more than just a business; it was a heartfelt lesson in entrepreneurship, where work and joy were beautifully intertwined, and community quietly shaped the spirit of learning.

Access, Enjoyment & Community Spirit

Trosa Marknad cared for all ages and genders. Smooth pathways, clear signage, and accessible design meant wheelchairs and strollers passed comfortably. Rest areas and toilets—both permanent and temporary—were abundant and clean. A children’s corner featured temporary rides like a mini roller coaster, charming layers of nostalgia without the chaos of traditional South Asian melas.

Nearby, a park-art water drizzler offered a gentle cooling mist, tree-shaped wooden frames that spewed fine spray when logs were pressed. It was fun and functional: Swedish ingenuity meeting summer’s needs. A poetic way to refresh—a nod to design with heart.

Canal-side Calm: Trosa Unveiled – Between Market and Water

After hours of vibrant noise, we strolled towards Trosa’s beauty and heart—the canal. A rainbow of boats, some grand, some humble, bobbed and floated against calm waters, and a dark-green footbridge arced overhead, draped in flowers, spanned the canal, offering a picture-perfect moment. It felt like a scene from a Nordic fairytale. Restaurants and cafés on wooden platforms near by the canal, tables set for quiet lunches and drinks.

Final Moments: The Crow at the Baltic Creek: A Perfect Farewell

Before heading back, we followed the river to where it meets the Baltic Sea. There, a lone crow dived dramatically into the shallow creek, wings flapping vigorously before lifting off with sparkling droplets with purpose. When it rose, droplets flinging from its feathers, it seemed to carry a message: life is richer when you dive in fully, nature’s own closing act to end our day.

We smiled, content. That crow’s splash was our cue, a moment of nature’s drama.

“Meloo mattoo chaadjee”: Exiting at the Zenith

There’s a Sindhi saying: “Meloo mattoo chaadjee”—leave the fair when spirits soar highest happiness. It was time. We felt satisfied, our senses full, lights hearts full of present joy and memories. We slowed our steps back to the car, ready for the ride, bounding back home towards Nacka. I recalled a Sindhi proverb: “Meloo mattoo chhaadjee”—leave the fair when it’s still joyful. We heeded its wisdom and did exactly that.

Read: A Serendipitous Swedish Evening

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time.