Federal, state, and local lawmakers were on hand Tuesday to welcome Swedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin to the City of Jamestown and to the Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St.

“This visit has been a long-time in the making,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “And I can tell you it was worth the wait, and we are very excited for what the next couple of days have in store for us.”

Langworthy said his friendship with Ahlin all started when Langworthy was first sworn in to congress. Langworthy recalled that he saw the Swedish Embassy was having a great event that he thought was worth attending.

“I don’t think we quite got an invitation,” Langworthy said.

Swedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin speaks to the audience at the Jackson Center Tuesday.

Ahlin was looking on with a smile.

So, Langworthy added, that he talked with his assistant and asked his assistant to reach out and express to the Swedish Embassy, the strong Swedish connection in New York State’s 23rd Congressional District, and that the congressman has Swedish blood flowing through his veins.

“I have been invited to every single event since,” Langworthy said.

Langworth added that shortly after, Ahlin came to visit Langworthy on Capitol Hill to build a friendship.

“With all of his responsibilities, he is Sweden’s representative to the entire United States of America. The fact that he took the time to come and build that relationship, it meant the world to me,” Langworthy noted.

The Thule Lodge Folk Dancers performed Swedish dances Tuesday at the Jackson Center as part of the program to welcome Swedish Ambassador Urban Ahlin. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Ahlin echoed Langworthy’s comments and said that there are very strong bonds with the United States and Sweden.

“I can absolutely say that I have a special bond with the congressman,” Ahlin said.

Ahlin added that on the way to Jamestown from Buffalo, Ahlin noticed the similarities between Western New York and his district in Sweden.

“I have been looking forward to coming here for a long period of time, since I met Nick, and I realized the deep roots of Swedish heritage here in Jamestown,” Ahlin said.

The Ambassador noted how the Swedish “work ethic” is alive here in Jamestown and the surrounding area.

Ahlin has been the Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S. since September 2023. He most recently served as Sweden’s Ambassador to Canada. Before that he was a member of the Swedish Parliament, representing the Social Democratic Party. As part of his work for the party, Ahlin served as the party’s Foreign Policy Spokesman, and was also a member of the party’s executive board. Ahlin is a teacher, and graduated from the University of Karlstad with a master’s degree. He is married and has two daughters.

Local Lawmakers who welcomed the ambassador to Jamestown included State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, and State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor. Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund presented the keys to the city to Ahlin while Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel proclaimed Aug. 5 to be Swedish Heritage Day. Other speakers included Kristan McMahon, Jackson Center president, and County Chamber of Commerce President Daniel Heitzenrater. Also the Thule Lodge Folk Dancers performed Swedish dances.

Here is a list of events for today:

– 9 a.m. Langworthy and Ahlin will tour the Roger Tory Peterson Institute grounds guided by Members of the RTPI Board of Directors, 311 Curtis St. Ext.

– 9:55 a.m. Langworthy and Ahlin will visit Jamestown Community College, home to a unique and evolving Scandinavian Studies initiative, 525 Falconer St.

– 1 p.m. Langworthy and Ahlin will visit TitanX Engine Cooling, specializing in powertrain cooling solutions for commercial vehicles, 2258 Allen St. Ext.

– 2:35 p.m. Langworthy and Ahlin will visit the historic First Lutheran Church, the oldest Swedish Lutheran congregation in Jamestown, founded in 1856, located at 120 Chandler St.

– 2:45 p.m. Langworthy and Ahlin will visit Ecklof Bakery, one of the last remaining Swedish family-owned bakeries in the region, located at 832 Foote Ave.