About Stefan HAGLUND
Stefan welcomes you to Stefan's story
Despite my passion for food and drink, I am "rather skinny in the legs, and just as much in the arms and neck." At least that's what both Ferlin and Paul Bocuse seemed to think.
I'll start by apologizing...
…that this particular Christmas and New Year's greeting was dropped this year. That's why it's here all year round, like a kind of permanent Christmas tree in text form. That way I never miss a Christmas again — and to be honest, the wishes are exactly the same every year anyway.
Helen and my Christmas greeting from 1998
Back then, you could treat yourself to a Cohiba Espléndidos without having to sell your car, your sofa and half your family first.
Nowadays, your pension is barely enough for a large strong drink at the bar. And then you have to drink it slowly, so it lasts the whole evening
.
"Stefan warmly welcomes you to his journey through the enchanting world of magic — where every moment shimmers with possibility."
Why I Do Magic (without revealing why)
"There are countless excellent reasons… though not a single one I'm prepared to reveal in front of witnesses."
Swedish Flag Day – June 6, 1986
Sweden's National Day.
Stefan Haglund – Johnny Lonn – Topper Martyn
…and the King, of course.
(He insisted on being mentioned last for dramatic effect.)
🎩 Stefan HAGLUND
A Life in Magic
Born: Örebro, 1947
Resident of Stockholm: since 1966
Practising magic: since 1957
Member of SMC: since 1980
🎩 Affiliations & Honors
Svensk Magisk Cirkel (SMC)
Former President
Recipient of the SMC Medal of Merit
Magiska Bröderna – Stockholm
Recipient of the Medal of Merit
Honorary Member
Former Vice Chairman
Magins Trofaste Riddare
Appointed by the Nordic magic associations in 1994
Magiska Akademien
Holder of Chair No. 5
Nordiska Presidenters Klubb
Former Chairman
International Memberships
The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) – Former member
The Society of American Magicians (SAM) – Former member
🌍 International Magic Conventions
FISM – Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques
Participated in eight FISM World Championships:
- 1985 Madrid
- 1988 The Hague
- 1991 Lausanne
- 1994 Yokohama
- 1997 Dresden
- 2000 Lisbon
- 2003 The Hague
- 2006 Stockholm
In addition to these, Stefan has attended numerous magic conventions in the United States
Las Vegas, Washington, and Hawaii — as well as conventions in China (non‑FISM), Blackpool, and several IBM conventions in Eastbourne, Scarborough, and other locations in England.
📸 Encounters & Milestones
At FISM Madrid 1985, Stefan met Dai Vernon and took a selfie with him — long before the word selfie existed.
Unfortunately, the photo no longer exists, a true loss, especially since Stefan met Vernon several more times at the Magic Castle.
In 1983, on the way to the IBM Convention in Hawaii, Stefan presented a plaque from SMC to Bill Larsen, one of the founders of the Magic Castle.
At several FISM conventions, Stefan also represented Sweden in the internal FISM negotiations with delegates from participating countries.
🇸🇪 Swedish Flag Day – June 6, 1986
also Sweden's National Day
The solemn ceremony in which the Swedish Magic Circle (SMC), on its 40th anniversary, received a ceremonial standard from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf was a moment no one present would ever forget.
Stefan Haglund – Johnny Lonn – Topper Martyn
were not only members of SMC; they were also proud members of Magiska Bröderna – Stockholm.
This unique occasion highlighted the significance of the magical arts — and the remarkable respect the craft had earned from the Swedish Royal Family.
Receiving a standard from the King symbolized far more than an honor for the association.
It was a recognition of magic as an important cultural and artistic tradition in Sweden.
Both the Swedish Magic Circle and Magiska Bröderna – Stockholm have long been pioneers in the Swedish world of magic, with members dedicated to advancing and enriching the art.
That His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf personally attended the ceremony was a clear sign of the high regard in which this art form is held.
It was a day filled with joy, pride, and a touch of magic —
an unforgettable moment that continues to live on in the memories of everyone who was there.
(And yes… the King was absolutely the biggest headliner on the bill, even if we magicians tried our best.)
Flag parade with the Magic Brothers banner
The Magic Brothers have also received a banner for the association's 70th anniversary in 2021.
The Swedish flag is always present at award ceremonies at Johnny Lonn Memorial
Norra Brunn
Personal awards
Magiska Brödernas
Honorary Member
MB
Merit sign
SMC Merit sign
The Faithful Knight of Magic 1994
NPC - Nordic Presidents Club
SMC - Svensk Magisk Cirkel
FISM - Fédération Internationale
des sociétés magiques
IBM - International Brotherhood
of Magicians
MB - Magiska Bröderna
SAM - Society of American
Magicians
MA - Magic Academy
The Magic Castle
Magiska Brödernas old brand
IBM Hawaii 1983
OBS. Om nödvändigt, backa filmen så den startar fr 0
🌺 IBM Convention in Hawaii, 1983
Recorded by Japanese Television
The IBM Convention in Hawaii in 1983 was memorable for many reasons — not least because Topper Martyn and I ended up in the opening sequence of the Japanese TV broadcast.
I had the honor of representing Sweden in the flag parade — and, out of roughly forty flags,
mine was the only one shown on Japanese television.
A small detail, of course… but one I've never hesitated to mention.
Topper, meanwhile, appeared in the gala show, and even had his own dedicated TV segment halfway through the film.
At one point he falls into the rooftop pool of the hotel — entirely on purpose, naturally — and the rest is a delightful mix of magic performances and sun‑drenched tourist footage from the Japanese TV crew.
(Timecode: 1:16:07 if you want to see the splash.)
🎩 A bit of trivia
The man carrying the Norwegian flag in the parade is Arne Carpelan, also a member of Magiska Bröderna.
Why?
Well… ask me when we meet. It's a story best told live.
Detta videoklipp från Hawaii har av YouTube spärrats i följande länder.
Blocked countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria. Ni ser vad viktigt det
att hålla 40 år gamla trolleritrick och akter hemliga.
🎩 Always a bit tipsy…
When he's not down in the engine room keeping everything running smoothly,
he can be reached by phone at
+46 (0)70‑580 97 84.
(Just don't ask what he's actually doing in that engine room. Some mysteries are better left… well, magical.)
Paul Daniels & Debbi McGee
FISM i Stockholm 2006
Stefanand Helen - Paul Daniels & Debbie McGee at dinner at our house on Nybrogatan,Paul with Helen's watch in his hand. She didn't notice anything.
The bar at home in Mälarhöjden
Magnus, me and Debbi
Christmas dinner at Paul & Debbi's house in London, with my son Magnus also standing at the back
SMC's 50th Anniversary 1996
Paul Daniels in my wine cellar, we didn't drink it all at dinner thoug
Tord Malmström & Lennart - 2 lARRYS,
are guest artists at Paul Daniels BBC 1985
David Copperfield
🎩 David Copperfield at the Nordic Convention in Nyköping
David Copperfield, together with his then‑fiancée Louise Drevenstam, Miss Sweden (the blonde seen from behind in the footage), made an unexpected appearance at the Nordic Magic Convention at Nyköpings Gästabud, organized by Christer Nilsson.
The day began with a phone call from Irené Lönnqvist, asking me to contact David at the Grand Hôtel to see if we could persuade him to join us in Nyköping. One full day later — including a stop at McDonald's — we finally set off in my car for what became an unforgettable surprise visit.
I introduced his fiancée as "a young woman interested in magic who, incidentally, happened to be the runner‑up in Miss Universe that year." She had, quite conveniently, brought along her fiancé — David Copperfield — as the surprise guest.
After the dinner festivities, we prepaid a taxi for their return trip. Unlike the stylish arrival in my Mercedes with the license plate MAGIC, the journey back to the Grand Hôtel took place in a Volvo. A small but charming contrast.
A night to remember
Magisk Weekend i Solna 1988
Copyright S Haglund
A commercial congress sponsored by the business association and the property owner in
Solna Centrum
We who hoisted 1,000,000 SEK in cash on the roof of the center were Kent Sannerholm, Johnny Lonn & Stefan Haglund - The million was hoisted in the center and disappeared/transformed after a few problems to daughter Susanne.
1 million kronor takes up very little space, so to fill the bag in the barrel we had to crumple the banknotes and also fill the bag with regular paper to get volume in the barrel. Showbiz!
The world record in magic
Topper Martyn breaks world record
The picture you can see was taken in the Stockholm City Hall under the Blue Hall stairs. The big flag was my private one that Manfred Tumm, Magic Hands Germany, specially made for me.
TV inspelningen
TV-programmet "Fantastiskt" 1986 gjorde Topper Martyn
69 trick på 4 minuter
Här kommer 2 inspelningar från TV-programmet
Topper slår rekordet
Speltid 5:50 min
Dommare Johnny Lonn & Stefan Haglund
Speltid 2:38
Självklart, Stefan — här kommer en engelsk version av hela berättelsen, elegant, levande och med den där varma, humoristiska tonen som gör att man hör dig berätta den. Jag håller den faktamässig men med showman‑glans där det passar.
🎩 **How It Happened:
Topper Martyn Breaks a World Record in Magic**
In 1985, Topper Martyn and I — Stefan Haglund — travelled to a magic convention in Norway.
The plan was to see Paul Daniels, gather inspiration for the 40th anniversary of the Swedish Magic Circle (SMC) the following year, and generally behave like magicians on a field trip.
I had recently been elected president of SMC and had seen Paul Daniels set a world record in magic on his BBC television show. It was funny, clever, and wonderfully absurd — exactly the sort of thing I thought we could turn into something spectacular in Stockholm's City Hall.
But since I don't simply steal an act, I asked Paul what he would think if we attempted a world record at SMC's 40th anniversary.
He looked at me as if I'd lost my mind and asked who would perform it.
🎩 Paul Daniels says "OK"
"There's only one person," I said.
Topper Martyn.
I could practically see the relief wash over Paul.
He said "OK."
We then spent a couple of hours discussing the project. Paul looked relieved.
Topper looked horrified.
And since SMC's budget was, as usual, nonexistent, I was at least very pleased.
One person who was not pleased was Topper's wife, Ingalill, who watched her apartment transform into a rehearsal stage with hundreds of magic tricks spread across every available surface.
📘 Guinness
Next step: contact Guinness Book of Records to find out how to get the attempt officially recognized.
They sent a representative — an Englishman — to act as an official witness, for a fee of 2,000 SEK, payable whether we succeeded or not.
The venue was the Blue Hall in Stockholm City Hall, which added even more prestige.
Then came the marketing.
We contacted TV4, a commercial TV channel, offering them the chance to document the record attempt.
They said they would send a couple of people to see if it looked good.
If so, we would be invited to the TV studio to break the record again in front of the cameras.
It was like asking a high jumper who had just set a world record to do it again in a studio — but higher — and smile for the camera.
Many of us helped with props and ideas for Topper, but we were not allowed to help with the planning.
🎥 After City Hall
A month after SMC's 40th anniversary, Johnny Lonn and I went to the TV studio on Valhallavägen as judges and official witnesses.
We met Topper there.
The program included several oddities and record attempts, but Topper managed to set yet another world record:
the most magic tricks performed in three minutes.
He later received plenty of work performing a shorter, more comedic act based on his world record — an act that was copied in several places around the world.
✨ A moment in magic history
A mad idea, a terrified Topper, a relieved Paul Daniels, a Guinness representative, a Blue Hall full of magicians, and a Volvo instead of a Mercedes on the way home —
all the ingredients of a truly unforgettable chapter in Swedish magic.
Fun Christmas Card & "The Flying Dutchman"
Eric Eswin's gift to me as SMC president in 1988
at FISM in Den Haag
Collector's Description – Weduwe Joustra Beerenburg (Special Bottling 1988)
Weduwe Joustra & Zoon – Sneek, the Netherlands (est. 1864) Specially bottled Beerenburg, vintage 1988 Unopened bottle with original metal plaque
This unique bottle of Beerenburg is a special 1988 bottling from the renowned Dutch distillery Weduwe Joustra & Zoon, celebrated for its traditional herbal blend and its unbroken production lineage dating back to the mid‑19th century. The bottle features a hand‑mounted metal plaque embossed with the distillery's emblem and the inscription:
"Speciaal gebotteld voor: Stephan Haglund"
The charming misspelling of the first name — Stephan instead of Stefan — adds a personal and unusual touch, making the bottle a distinctive curiosity. It has remained untouched and unopened in a wine cellar since 1988, meaning the liquid, cap, and label have all been preserved in excellent condition.
As a collector's item, the bottle represents a time when special bottlings were produced only on request and in very limited quantities. The combination of age, condition, and personal engraving makes it a rare and historically interesting example of Dutch Beerenburg tradition.
Estimated collector's value: 600–900 SEK Condition: Unopened – excellent Special note: Personalized special bottling with unique metal plaque (1988)
Still unopened after 38 years
Erik "TRUXA" Bang
1919 - 1996
The Year Was 1962
The great magician of the era, TRUXA (Erik Bang), was visiting Örebro.
He had been given the rather unusual assignment of performing magic from the diving tower at the Gustavsvik baths — and I was just crazy enough to climb one level higher to capture a few revealing photos.
I had been sent out by Nerikes Allehanda to document the madness.
Whether the night editor ever bothered to give the story space in the paper is doubtful.
Out of a hundred photos, perhaps two made it to print — which, at that time, was considered a triumph.
As a stage for magic, it was probably one of the strangest places TRUXA had ever worked.
But he bought several photos from me privately, so I considered the day a success.
Even back then, I was already an eager amateur magician,
which made me more than happy to take on the assignment.
The audience of a few hundred people was probably glad he didn't do any coin tricks or card manipulations.
Foto Stefan HAGLUND
Champagne connoisseur
Champagne - Two of Helen's and my favoritesboth of which were also served on board
SUPREME
Everyone came and no one misses these board meetings on board SUPREME
SUPREME SMKW is a...
Storebro Royal Cruiser 40 Baltic.
My Circus interest
Monte Carlo
I was there with Johnny Lonn
Johnny Lonn's 50th birthday present to me, and like the Mona Lisa, this gem is kept under lock and key.
The year was 1969
I have been a circus director for real. I drew and painted all the signs and decorated the house for 200 white mice. If you want to know more, ask me when we meet
/Stefan
🎩 "All that came before was history."
But what comes next...
1962
2022
"Do start your Swedish death‑cleaning.
We commence in the autumn."
First comes the Magic Flea Market, then comes...
Then comes Magical Goods Brokerage
"Blocket" for magic items
"Over the years I've collected more interests — and more companies — than most people collect socks.
I've started and run about twenty of them. And as I often say: being self‑employed in Sweden today requires genuine magic. The kind with glitter, misdirection, and a very steady hand."
At that time we were the largest indoor flea market in Scandinavia.
We had 10,000 square meters in Skärholmen with 500 sales places.
On Södermalm we only have room for a maximum of 10 sales tables.
Book early, we only have 1 sales day a month.
An appointment of
HM Kung Carl XVI Gustav
HM Kung Carl XVI Gustav
Vinordicwas the name of the wine fair in Älvsjö before - I was there
The Wine Cellar Shop
at Östermalm
