Freedom to Roam Is 'Every Man's Right" in Sweden

Freedom to Roam Is 'Every Man's Right" in Sweden
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Freedom to Roam Is 'Every Man's Right" in Sweden

Freedom to Roam Is 'Every Man's Right" in Sweden

Some countries have easier measures when it comes to camping permissions and roaming in private lands. However, in Sweden, the right to roam is protected by the law. Known as "Allemansrätten", the right to roam in Sweden allows all citizens to wander freely in nature, even in private properties. This means people can head to a vast forest for camping around fire, searching for food, swimming, or taking a boat ride in one of many lakes and rivers, the German News Agency reported.

While many other European countries such as Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland ensure their citizens the freedom and right to roam in public, the Scandinavian laws are the most welcoming regulations for wanderers. Yet, there are actually some rules! In Sweden, people are allowed to set fires in forests as long as they use the wood found on the ground, and act responsibly. However, they are not allowed to break or cut tree branches, or write on their trunks unless they are private property and their owners don't mind it.

In natural reserves and national parks featuring preserved species of animals or plants, stricter rules may be applied when it comes to horse riding or setting fires, for instance. In these places, picking mushrooms, berries, and walnuts is forbidden.

In Sweden, fishing is allowed for everyone and without an official license. Carl Undéhn from the tourism platform "Visit Sweden" said "People can fish in almost all major lakes including Vättern, Vänern, Mälaren, Storsjön, and Hjälmaren."

As per small internal lakes, fishing lovers would need a license known as "Fiskekort." Vacationers can buy a one-day license from gas stations, hotels, or via special websites for around 50 to 100 Swedish krona (5 to 10 dollars). Weekly and annual tickets are also available.

People who might need some guidance can attend survival courses that would teach them about food sources and campfires in forests.



Labubu Toy Sculpture Sold for $150,000 at China Auction

A human-sized Labubu figurine is displayed before an auction in Beijing, China June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
A human-sized Labubu figurine is displayed before an auction in Beijing, China June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
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Labubu Toy Sculpture Sold for $150,000 at China Auction

A human-sized Labubu figurine is displayed before an auction in Beijing, China June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
A human-sized Labubu figurine is displayed before an auction in Beijing, China June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000, as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch.

The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, and are made by Beijing-based toy brand Pop Mart.

They have been endorsed by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, and fans have queued overnight outside stores hoping to snag one, with analysts pointing to the phenomenon as evidence of China's growing soft power, AFP reported.

On Tuesday, a teal sculpture depicting a Labubu character with a furry body and head fetched an eye-watering 1.08 million yuan ($150,260) at an auction held in Beijing, according to the auction house's app.

The sculpture is "the only piece of its kind in the world", according to Yongle International Auction.

It was offered alongside other Labubu paraphernalia including a brown statue that sold for 820,000 yuan.

Pop Mart has over 400 stores globally, including 30 US branches.

The worldwide frenzy has seen people go to desperate lengths to acquire their own Labubu.

Last month a London branch of Pop Mart suspended in-store sales of the toys, fearing violence from would-be buyers who failed to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubus.

In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine, according to Singaporean online media outlet AsiaOne.

Burglars broke into a store in California last week and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, American news outlet ABC reported.

In China, the toys have been promised as freebies for new bank customers -- an incentive quickly shut down by local regulators, according to Chinese media reports.

The toys have spawned a booming resale market as well as an online community of fans sharing tips on how to customize their dolls.

Knockoffs -- many of which are also made in China -- have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users.