Just a few more days until it's officially, astronomically, and meteorologically summer. On Saturday, June 21st, at 4:42 AM, the sun will be at the Tropic of Cancer, the summer solstice will occur, and we will celebrate the longest day. For many people, summer means (if the weather cooperates) good weather, holidays, and long balmy evenings where the sun disappears late behind the horizon. Although I don't necessarily need it to be 30 degrees (rather not, in fact), I'm looking forward to relaxing in the backyard with a rosé, a book, and a bowl full of summer fruit.
The beginning of summer has been something people have looked forward to and celebrated lavishly for centuries. For example, it's no coincidence that the rising sun on the first day of summer falls precisely on one of the main stones of Stonehenge.
Many people are happy that summer is starting again, but in Sweden, they really turn it into a party. Midsummer, Midsommar in Swedish, is at least as important there as Christmas. And that says something. It has been celebrated every year for centuries on the Friday around June 24th. Why June 24th and not the 21st? The Christian church considered such a pagan festival to be nothing good, and therefore it was Christianized into the feast day in honor of the birth of John the Baptist on June 24th, three days after the summer solstice.
Maypole and magical powers
Swedes flock to their red summer cottages to be together. Midsommar is a celebration you share with family and good friends, full of traditions that have existed for centuries.
A long table is set with beautiful tablecloths and many flowers, where they gather to enjoy good food and drinks together until the sun sets.
Another typical Swedish custom is the raising of a Maypole. A tall pole, often with hoops attached, decorated with birch branches, flowers, and ribbons. Such a tree rises in a central spot in every village, and on Midsommar day, young and old dance around it before heading home to eat and drink.
Additionally, people believed that plants gained magical powers on Midsummer's Eve. If you, as an unmarried girl, sleep with seven self-picked flowers under your pillow, you will dream of the man you will marry. And wearing a flower crown was believed to aid fertility.
Celebrating Midsommar at home
Celebrating Midsommar in Sweden seems like a truly cool experience. Luckily, you can also throw a good party at home to celebrate summer!
What do you need?
- Preferably a garden, but a balcony or a spot at the campsite can also work very well. As long as it's outdoors.
- A table with beautiful linen and lace tablecloths and fresh wild flowers.
- Homemade flower wreaths for your head.
- A dinner consisting of new potatoes with dill, pickled herring (Ikea!), and strawberries with whipped cream for dessert.
- Games for after dinner, such as sack racing, tug-of-war, and Kubb.
- Beer and schnapps, and a playlist of Swedish drinking songs for extra atmosphere.
Make it festive with the ingredients above and definitely don't go to bed until the sun has truly set! Glad Midsommar.