Midsommar

Midsummer celebration, Årsnäs, Sweden

 

Yesterday was our summer solstice, celebrated as Midsommar in Sweden.  Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the celebration:

In modern Sweden, Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer's Day (Midsommarafton and Midsommardagen) were formerly celebrated on 23 June and 24 June, but since 1953 the celebration has been moved to the Friday and Saturday between 19 June and 26 June. It is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden, and probably the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated. The main celebrations take place on the Friday, and the traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole. Before the maypole is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire pole.
Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and some even wear traditional folk costumes. In addition, many wear crowns made of wild springs and wildflowers on their heads. The year's first potatoes, Soused herring, Chives, Sour Cream, Beer, Snaps and the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Drinking songs (Snapsvisor) are also important at this feast, and many drink heavily. When Sweden got its National day (6 June), discussions were held about making Midsummer the Swedish national day because of the strong civil celebration on this day.
Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse. In the past it was believed that herbs picked at Midsummer were highly potent, and water from springs could bring good health. Greenery placed over houses and barns were supposed to bring good fortune and health to people and livestock; this old tradition of decorating with greens continues, even though most don't take it seriously.

As for us, we had a long-distance toast with Aunt Nancy and cousins Jean and Pam.  Mom and I had Absolut vodka and Diet Cranberry Sierra Mist, they were drinking Bailey's Irish cream, I believe. Nancy sounded like she might have exceeded her teeny glassful... No one had any schnapps to drink, and no one sang, at least not while we were on the phone, but we celebrated the evening nonetheless.  There is a Midsommar festival happening on this weekend over in Brantwood, not far from here.  Maybe we'll be able to make it.  If not, we'll put it on the schedule for next year.

I just finished reading a book called "Astrid and Veronika," by a Swedish writer named Linda Olsson.  It's a wonderful story about the friendship that develops between two women of differing age and experience, set in  the Swedish countryside and spanning a year's time.  I highly recommend it.  There are several traditional celebrations mentioned in the book, Midsommar being one, and I found another that seems to be perfect for Northern Wisconsin, too--Valborgsmass Eve (with two dots over the "a").  It's a celebration of the end of the long winter, held on April 30 each year and marked with bonfires and fireworks.  I believe we need to start a new tradition here, of marking Valborgsmass Eve with friends and family.  There are an amazing number of people in the area who are Swedish in heritage, including both of our neighbors, who were jealous when they found out I was going to Sweden last spring.  I'm sure they'd join in, and invite you all to come and light up the sky with us and chase away the dark and cold.  There won't be any fire hazard--in late April there's still plenty of snow up here...