Swedish tradition

 GLAD MIDSOMMAR

During my exchange year in Stockholm I got to know some amazing Swedish traditions and this is the perfect occasion to talk about the most famous festivity, Midsummer. Believe it or not, but all the things you may have heard about it are true. For instance, it is always celebrated on a Friday between the 19th and 25th of June, women ,especially young girls, pick flowers to make their own collars, men raise a huge maypole and of course there is a lot of drinking.

If you visit one of the the bigger cities of Sweden for Midsummer you may have a hard time finding one of this famous celebrations. There is actually one at the oldest open-air museum called Skanen in Stockholm but it's more like a tourist attraction. The reason why cities like Stockholm seems extincted at this time of the year is that all the Sweeds celebrate Midsummer in the countryside. For me it appeared that Midsummer is the only festivity where Swedish people really want to meet their relatvies and friends. Normally the like to tend to celebrate other festivities with their own little family. This special day is also the only opportunity, beside the national day, where Sweeds can wear their traditional clothing. In my oppinion they look a little bit awkward but you can decide on your own. Anyway, let's get to the actually celebration now. When the maypole is raisen people in traditional clothing dance around it, sing traditional songs, ty their flower collars and enjoy  the delicious food, well only  part of it tastes actually great! The main dish is pickled herring, which I personally find disgusting, boiled or smashed potatoes with dill, soured cream and chives. Then man course often contains grilled meat or fish and as a desert you get cream with berries. After dinner the whole community meets up beside the sea or a lake where they celebrate until the sun is raising. Legend has it that young women have to pick seven different flowers on their way home and have to lay them under their pillow. Later on, their future husband will appear in their dreams. Funnily a lot of young girls still try that every year. I tried it myself. Unfortunately, not a handsome young Swedish guy appeared in my dreams, instead I dreamed of all the disgusting herrings. What a pitty! You should try it too next year, maybe you have more luck than I had.

 

raising of the maypole

At the end of my blogpost I want to have a look at the reason why Misummer is celebrated and its evolutionary history. Since the 6th century Swedish people, mostly from the South, celebrate Misdummer to welcome the summertime and the season of fertility with a huge bonfire. In addition Midsummer Night is the lightest of the year and was long considered as magical. Later on, in the early 1500s, people started to decorate their houses and farm tools with foliage and raised maypoles to dance around. Subsequently in central areas employees were given a fest of pickled herring, beer and schnapps. Years later Midsummer became the most famous festivity and was celebrated in the whole country. To sum up, in my eyes Midsummer is one of the best and most comfy festivities on this planet. I enjoyed every minute of both I went to, the one in Skansen and the one in the countryside. It is rare that you find so much happiness, gratefullness and especially great people in the same place. I was overwhelmed by all the impressions. Midsummer is definitely something you should have on your Bucket List!

flower collar Nr. 2

flower collar Nr. 1