On Sunday 18 July 2004 the annual Scanian Flag Day will be celebrated. This will also be the day that the Scanian of the Year will be elected. This event has taken place every summer since 1967. Its popularity is growing.

In recognition of their right to nationhood, the people of Scania, a region comprised of three provinces in the south of Sweden, are coming together to celebrate keep the spirit of their regional heritage alive. Organizing the event is the Foundation of the Scanian Flag Day. This body was established last year, and has taken over from an organization with an origin in pioneer work performed by Mr Sigge Hinderot from 1967 onwards. During the 1990’s the organization started to broaden its support by seeking cooperation not only with sport clubs, cultural organizations, media and business, but also with the regional political assembly of Skaane (one of the four Scanian provinces).

A regional radio station has become an important channel for getting the message out and to involve Scanians in the voting process for Scanian of the Year. This ensures that individuals with solid popular support are elected for the prestigious title, thereby generating a continuous interest from mass media. Past recipients of the award have come from different fields such as sports, television, and theater.

The board of The Foundation of the Scanian Flag Day currently has seven members, coming from various sectors of society. The Foundation is non-partisan, even though some of its members are well-known politicians.

A number of persons and organizations work on practical tasks in order to make possible the Scanian Flag Day and the election of the Scanian of the Year. An office has also been organized, and a bookkeeper secures good accounting. Everyone works on a volunteer basis.

Information on the origin and history of the Scanian flag is available on the Foundation’s website: http://www.skaneflaggan.nu