Scandinavian Mexicans are citizens of Mexico with a partial or full Scandinavian ancestry. All these people share a common history and cultural background. The earliest known Scandinavian immigrant to Mexico is Jacobo Daciano who settled into the country in the mid 16th century. Learn more from this short history of Scandinavians in Mexico.
Jacobo Daciano was the younger brother of Christian II of Denmark. Jacobo was popularly known as an evangelist in the region and played a big role in spreading Christianity to the region.
If you have planned a trip to Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen or any other place in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico, you are required to pay Cancun tourist tax. This tax took effect on the first of April 2021. The new fee called Visitax must be paid by all visitors above 4 years and is confirmed before boarding your departure flight (source: thecancunsun.com). The tax can be paid before departure, or during your stay in Quintana Roo. Whatever the case, the tax must be paid before departure. Therefore, it is wise for visitors to pay this tax on time to avoid unnecessary scenes with the immigration officials during departure. This is given that all tourists must show proof of having paid the tax before departure. If you have not made the payment though, you can do it at the customs office at the airport.
Federico Miguel Liebman, a Danish scientist studying plants in southern Mexico in 1941. The scientist came across a small group of native people in Oaxaca who could speak Danish. Upon further enquiries, Liebman discovered that these people were part of Danish pirates who had been abandoned in the area by their crew in the late 16th century. On the other hand, Swedes have been in Mexico since the late 1890s.
Related: The Swedish Emigrants
While taking a voyage on the Norway Mexico line, writer Peter Lykke-Seest talks of the presence of Norwegian businessmen in Vera Cruz. He adds that the businessmen, who were well dressed, highly educated and maintained the Norwegian customs. This elite group of people maintained their customs unlike the earlier recorded voyagers who seemed to adopt a localized culture. These include former sailors who were in that port city.
These are notable Scandinavian individuals in Mexico:
- Elizabeth Broden – former Miss Mexico (1984) who spent over a decade in the fashion industry
- Axel Didriksson – writer and professor at UNAM – also a highly acclaimed academician in the county
- Rosa Lie Johansson – famous painter
- Víctor Lojero Alexanderson – celebrated footballer
- Anne Marie Thistler – former Miss Sweden
- Yolanda “Tongolele” Montes – exotic dancer and perfomer
- Frans Blom – archeologist
- Sairi Forsman – sculptor
- Rosario María Gutiérrez Eskildsen – lexicographer, linguist, educator
- Ann Margarit Henningsen – sprint canoer
- Eva Norvind – writer and actress
- Nailea Norvind – actress
- Mario Schjetnan – architect
The history of Scandinavians in Mexico dates back into the early 16th century. However, most of the current descendants of this group have been localized by the Mexican culture.
A Short History of Scandinavians in Mexico, written dedicately for Daily Scandinavian by guest contributor.
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