MY Publications
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An article about how I brought fika to South Devon College.
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An article about what fika is and how to incorporate fika into your week.
Who am I?
Hi, I am Victoria Grimberg. I am passionate about bringing fika into people's lives and workplaces. My aim is to connect people with each other through the Swedish custom and tradition of fika, by weekly virtual fika pauses, workshops, networking and fika events.
Articles and videos
BBC: “The Swedish tradition that can make you happier at work”
How well do you know your colleague? Introduce fika at your organisation and increase staff morale, staff wellbeing as well as productivity. Watch the video below to find out how to slow down and to appreciate life's smaller joys.
BBC Workplace: “Is this the sweet secret to Swedish success?”
“At many companies it’s mandatory for all workers, from Malmo to Stockholm, to have a designated time during the day to sit down and do fika.
‘ “It’s deeply ingrained in our culture.” said Matts Johansson, founder of Da Matteo, a coffee chain based in Gothenburg. “Most Swedes have fika several times a day, whether it’s at the weekend or during the week. It’s about spending time with people, eating lovely homemade baked goods and drinking great coffee. It’s like going to the pub in other countries.” ’ ”
Forbes: "Swedish Fika: Sweden’s ‘Premium Coffee Break’ Explained””
“The important part isn’t the coffee or even the sweet treat, it’s the valuable time spent connecting with others. While a traditional coffee break in an office is often an avenue for continuing a work discussion, fika is a more informal affair that may open up conversations—whether work-related or not—across departments and hierarchies.”
The Guardian: “Fika, four-week holidays – and zero overtime: Sweden’s stunningly healthy work culture”
“Yet the team are keenly aware of the importance of socialising together. ‘We know that we have to do things together and be friends, or at least friendly with each other, to maintain a positive workplace culture,’ says Wessel, adding that they regularly meet outside working hours, too. Away from the green room, there is also an open-plan kitchen space with tea and coffee facilities, as well as fresh fruit baskets.”
The New York Times Article: “In Sweden, the Fika Experience”
“The fika experience is a time of stillness amid my roller-coaster ride. I used to go sit in a coffee shop to write, or check things off from my to-do list. But the true nature of the fika is to enjoy time and company with no plan or purpose. To fika is not to do, but simply to be.”
What is fika?
A video by The Splendid Table where chef Magnus Nilsson “talks about what fika has meant to the Swedish culture in the past, and how it still enjoyed today.”
What is fika?
Visit Sweden: “Fika like a Swede”
“So ingrained in the Swedish psyche is the custom that some companies add a clause to contracts stating that employees are entitled to fika breaks. A clever move, since a spot of fika can be therapeutic, promoting wellbeing and productivity.”
Nordic Visitor: “THE SWEDISH ART OF FIKA: COFFEE, CAKE & CATCH-UPS”
“Fika is a typical Swedish tradition where you take time out of your day to pause and enjoy a hot drink and a snack. But it’s not just about savouring a good cup of kaffi (the Swedish word for coffee). Fika is a ritual that’s important in Swedish culture, giving yourself a moment to have a break and socialise.”
InterAct Video
“What is Swedish FIKA? Workplace and work culture in Sweden”
“At the workplace, having “fika” is to take a common break and drink coffee together. But is it true that everyone loves the Swedish fika?”
What is Swedish fika in the workplace?
GLAMOUR UK: “Fika: The Swedish switch-off method that's *almost* too good to be true (and yes, it involves coffee and cake)”
“The Swedish know a thing or two about wellbeing. Sweden is one of the happiest nations in the world – landing in the top ten of the World Happiness Report 2022, no less. So if we should take a leaf out of any book when it comes to contentment, it should definitely be from the nation that gave us the likes of ABBA and Ikea. ”
Culture Trip Article: “Fika: A Swedish Cultural Way of Life”
“Fika really is a cultural touchstone of Sweden. It is a tradition that is about more than just having a coffee. It means catching up with friends, sharing the joy of a little break and enjoying the chance to appreciate a sweet treat.”
America’s Small Business Network Article: “How the Swedish fika tradition is revolutionizing office culture”
“Experts are heralding the benefits of fika, a Swedish tradition that has been shown to boost employee productivity and lower stress in professional environments.
Fika, coming from the Swedish word for coffee, is the practice of taking a collective coffee break once or even twice day while at work. The tradition is not only seen as an important part of maintaining a work-life balance in its home country but is also being adopted around the world.”
Design Dash Article: “MINDFULNESS IN A MUG: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SWEDISH FIKA TRADITION”
“At the heart of Swedish culture lies a charming, yet unassuming tradition known as Fika, a concept and custom that is much more than a mere coffee break. [… ] In essence, Fika is about more than just the food and drink; it’s about setting aside a moment of quality time. It represents a philosophy of making time for friends and colleagues, for relaxation and reflection, making it a significant aspect of Swedish culture and everyday life.
[…] The underlying ethos of Fika — to pause, connect, and enjoy the moment — has remained constant, even as the world around it has changed. This enduring tradition, with its rich historical tapestry, continues to be a significant part of Swedish culture, symbolizing the nation’s love for coffee, companionship, and the simple pleasures of life.”
Immediate Management - Fika: Creating Genuine Connections Over Coffee
“What are the benefits? There are a number of studies to support the idea that taking regular breaks boosts workplace culture, engagement and productivity. Breaks can help:
Keep people focused
Relieve stress
Boost productivity
Recharge your energy
Enhance relationships
Build trust
These breaks are seen as important social events used to help keep up moral and boost group spirit, so companies prioritize coffee and ensure their employees have time to drink it. Invite one or a handful of colleagues for fika. Start with one fika or coffee break with a colleague per day.”
Fun fact
☕ 🍪Every year on National Day new Swedes are invited to an official ‘fika’ in the same location as the Nobel Prize Banquet.
The Fika Ceremony
“Fika" a blog in French by L'élan blanc
“Pour les suédois, le fika est bien plus qu’une pause café. C’est carrément un phénomène social, une raison bien légitime pour passer un bon moment.
Entre collègues, entre amis, avec la famille, ou avec quelqu’un avec qui vous voulez faire plus ample connaissance, que ce soit le matin ou l’après-midi, il s’agit toujours de se réunir autour d’un bon café et de grignoter des gourmandises.”
Post on agilelead: “Line Management, 1-2-1s and the Fika Alternative”
“Derived from Swedish culture, Fika is a break that's more about socializing than merely drinking coffee and eating cake, although this combo sounds pretty awesome to be honest! It emphasizes taking time off from the work routine to connect with colleagues on a personal level. Organizations around the world have started to incorporate Fika into their culture as an alternative, or at least addition, to traditional 1-2-1 meetings.
Fika promotes a culture of openness and empathy. It allows employees to step away from their desks, enjoy a coffee, and have genuine, heartfelt conversations. It's not solely focused on work or performance but encourages talking about life, hobbies, or current events.”
Inc. article: For a More Creative Brain, Take Breaks Your brain needs downtime to remain creative and generate its most innovative ideas.
“When faced with a long creative problem, it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task and improve your idea generation approach. A structured downtime can help you do your best work..”
Academic research
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"Each of the Nordic countries has their own take on self-care and antidotes to stress based on both culture, tradition and history.
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The Swedish idea about catching up for a fika to enjoy coffee and a piece of cake is common practice as already established has another dimension relating to the word lagom."
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"In recent times, commensality or eating together has been discussed as an important part of family culture and identity, and as one of the most important parts of socialization. Here we would like to draw attention to the Swedish fika break, an in-between meal of particular significance in Sweden, where fika is an everyday ritual at home as well as in the work place. As with other commensality practices, the most valuable parts are not the edibles or drinkables that are consumed but what is created over those edibles and drinkables. We outline possible ways that Fika could be studied and potential dimensions of particular interest."
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"Brones and Kindvall’s (2015) translation of fika as a moment of break, drinking coffee, eating treats and chatting. By translating the word, it may lose significance and become a mere coffee break, but the Swedish fika is just as much about socializing. Defined as “a social cup of coffee” (Sweden, 2019), the essence of this social cultural phenomenon is making time to take a break and spend time with people, while eating lovely goods and drinking great coffee. As an important part of Swedish culture, fika is an everyday life habit, and it is considered a way to socialise with other people. Hence, fika not only represents an entire culture but also carries the meaning of a Swedish form of social engagement (Brones and Kindvall, 2015)."
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"In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating Swedish-style fika (coffee) breaks into the didactic schedule of emergency medicine residents on their sleepiness levels during didactic sessions. Fika is a Swedish tradition that involves a deliberate decision to take a break during the workday and usually involves pastries and coffee. Integration of fika breaks positively influenced sleepiness levels, thus potentially enhancing the educational experience during residency didactics."
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"Fika is a coffee break in Sweden, but it is invested with considerable socio-cultural and symbolic significance (Kjærnes 2001; Ljungström 2013). Twice a day, in mornings and afternoons, Swedish workers can gather for a short break, in the internal fika-area. Employers are expected to bear most of the cost of breaks as an investment in their employees (Spross 2016).
We ask whether fika is purely a social event for staff community-building, rest and recreation, but possibly also a technology of governmentality, a subtle strategy for regulation, surveillance and the promotion of normative performances of workplace happiness, team-building and well-being (Davies 2015)."
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“Cafes in Europe have a long history as meeting places and for providing refreshments. They are part of the cultural history of Europe, and since the eighteenth century, its social and food history. […] The trend in eating out grew throughout the nineteenth century, and it became fashionable to be seen at particular outlets, for example cafes and restaurants. Eating for many was a form of recreational activity and a pleasant addition to the boulevard, and park. […] The design of the café was an important factor, with its main dining rooms, shops and perhaps additional rest rooms, smoking rooms, ladies rooms, separees and function rooms. Deller’s Café in Exeter boasted a ball room which contributed to its position as a social centre.”
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“This commentary explores the untapped potential of incorporating Swedish fika into culinary culture and gastronomy tourism, emphasizing its significance in destination branding and product value offerings.
It integrates the social, temporal, spatial, and symbolic aspects of Swedish fika from a multidisciplinary perspective, to provide a holistic view that can guide the exploration of culinary culture and daily practices into enhancing perceived values across offerings.
Described as a national interest, Swedish fika is deeply intertwined with values of democracy, open atmospheres, and agenda-free meetings, creating positive associations in branding.”
Discover how a mindful fika break can transform your day, boosting wellbeing and fostering meaningful connections. Book a workshop or attend a virtual fika today!
