Stånga

Story

Stånga is a locality on the Swedish island of Gotland, with 491 inhabitants in 2014. Formerly a socken, on 1January 2016, it was reconstituted into the administrative area Stånga District. It is most noted for hosting the annual Stånga Games.GeographyStånga is the name of the socken, now district. It is also the name of the larger locality within the district and the small village surrounding the medieval Stånga Church, sometimes referred to as Stånga kyrkby. It is located in the southeast part of Gotland.One of the asteroids in the asteroid belt, 10131 Stånga, is named after this place.Stånga GamesThe Stånga Games, also referred to as the "Gotland Olympic Games", is an annual sports competition in Stånga. The first games were concluded on 27 July 1924. The games are held during five days around the second weekend in July and gathers about 2000 participants. Competitions are held in various Gutnish disciplines, some dating back to the Viking Age.SportsVarpaPärkCaber tossGutnish pentathlonPillow fight on a pole (Herre på stång)Leg hook (Rövkrok)Hobble kick (Sparka Bleistre)Tug of war, eight-man teams (Dragkamp)Two-men tug of war, facing (Att dra hank)Two-men tug of war, back to back (Att täme stäut)