Today in Sweden it is Midsommar. In Sweden, the summer solstice is a magical time. In Stockholm, twilight lasts until 11 p.m. and the day breaks again at about 2 a.m.



While the actual summer solstice was a couple of days ago, the Swedes usually celebrate on the nearest Friday afternoon/evening/night/following day. The Friday closest to June 20th is the official 'Midsommarafton' which, according to ancient rock carvings, has been the tradition for 3000 years. Midsummer Eve was originally celebrated to welcome the arrival of summer in the hope of bountiful harvests, and is celebrated with 'Midsom-marstången' - a maypole bedecked with birch leaves and flowers. It involves a lot of eating, drinking, dancing around the Maypole and a lot of headaches in the morning.

The Maypole, a symbol of fertility, is usually a cross decorated with birch twigs and flowers.



In the afternoon there are usually games and competitions with the children. There are ring dances, traditional dancing and singing games as the Swedes celebrate the return of light.

The other traditions involve young girls making a midsummer chaplet (Midsommarkrans) of wildflowers to wear for the day.



You must go out and collect seven different types of flowers for this. It is important that you do this alone and in secret. It is said that if you then place this under your pillow, you will dream of your future partner.

The celebratory dinner includes assorted pickled herrings (Sill), boiled potatoes, local beer and schnapps, followed by strawberries or fresh fruit for dessert. After the meal, adults dance around the Midsommarstång, play games and continue celebrating. Since the sun never sets, the festivities continue for hours afterward, often into the following day.

Till next time.... Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga at se....