Gammalsvenskbymuséum

About the place

The Svenskbymuseet – About the unique history of the people of Svenskbyn, who founded Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine in 1782. Most of them returned to Sweden in 1929 after difficult years of war and famine. Many came to Gotland with surnames such as Knutas, Hoas, Buskas, Kotz, Utas and Sigalet. The Svenskbymuseet – the story of the inhabitants of Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine: Sigalet, Knutas, Utas, Hoas, Kotz and Buskas – names that carry a unique history. They are among the Swedish villagers who trace their origins to Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine, a village founded by Swedish-speaking farmers from Dagö in Estonia. In 1781, these families were forced to leave their homes and were resettled in southern Russia, near the Black Sea. There, they built a Swedish community, holding fast to their language and traditions – in the midst of unfamiliar surroundings. After decades of hardship, world wars, revolution and famine, the Svenskby villagers were given the opportunity to return to Sweden in 1929. Around 500 settled on Gotland, whilst some 250 chose to return to Ukraine – where they soon faced Stalin’s oppression and further years of war. Gammalsvenskby has been hit hard by Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. For more than seven months, the village was under Russian occupation. Since its liberation in November 2022, Gammalsvenskby has been subjected to repeated Russian terror bombings, with drones and heavy artillery fired from the other side of the river. The village now lies in ruins, and its inhabitants have been forced to flee to safer areas. The Svenskbyborna Association reports regularly on the situation in the village and works actively to support those affected. You can contribute by making a donation via: Plusgiro: 187879-2 or Swish: 123 437 61 41 Welcome to the Svenskby Museum – where you can discover the history, the people and the struggle for a future. Café serving home-baked goods and ice cream.

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