Taking it easy in Torekov: The Swedish seaside village where bathrobes have become an unwritten ritual
TRAVELS OF THE UNEXPECTED
In the quiet coastal village of Torekov, Sweden, a daily ritual unfolds.
It is a moment of both solitude and shared community, a tradition that does not date back to ancient Swedish folklore but instead is a modern practice that is based on practicality and symbolism.
This fairly new tradition is a nod to the important role that the sea plays in daily life within Torekov: the morning dip. And the freedom to go about town in your bathrobe.
Swedish photographer Peggy Anderson documented the ritual carried out by Torekov locals in her project, ‘The morning Dip’ where she photographed multiple individuals who participated in this healthy and intriguing tradition taking place in the seaside fishing village.
The project began with Anderson’s fascination with the Swedes’ tradition of taking a daily morning dip in the sea, a ritual known as “Morgonbryggan.” Her photographs often feature bathers in their bathrobes, which are a key part of the unwritten dress code for this fishing village and early morning gathering.
“Yes, we all walk around in bathrobes. Mostly in the morning but it’s acceptable all day out (yes even in the supermarket). It’s become the norm in this little town called Torekov, in south of Sweden🤗 It’s the best thing ever.” – @ frejasettergren
Project to personal journey
Using a large-format camera, Anderson meticulously documented this tradition, allowing the slow, deliberate process of the shoot to become as significant as the final images. This method mirrored the ritualistic nature of the morning dip itself, highlighting the repetition and dedication of the participants.
As Anderson continued her work, the project evolved into a personal journey of self-discovery. Having lived in Sweden as a child and now returning for summers, she used her camera to bridge the gap between her American life and her Swedish roots.
Window into a community united by ritual
Through photographing the local community, she began to understand her own complex identity and her connection to a country that felt both familiar and foreign. The subjects of her photographs, who at first were strangers, gradually became part of her story, offering her a window into a community she was slowly becoming a part of.
The photographs in “The Morning Dip”, which garnered an exhibition at The American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, (July 2022) and another at Abecita Popkonst & Foto, (May-October ), are a testament to the power of tradition and the quiet dignity of a simple, daily act. They capture not just the physical act of swimming, but the deeper meaning behind it—a sense of belonging, a connection to nature, and the quiet, communal understanding.
Anderson’s work invites us to reflect on our own daily rituals and the way they shape our identity and our place in the world. The collection has since been published as a book by Kehrer Verlag, allowing a wider audience to experience this unique and personal photographic journey.