Saturday 26 June 2010

Midsummer in Sweden




Midsummer celebration is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden, and probably the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated. It takes place on a Friday, in connection with 24th of June, the day of solstice. The traditional event is to dress, raise and dance around a high maypole. Above is the crown made of wild flowers and the costume is to wear it on the head. 





Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to preform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven different flowers and jump over seven round pole fences and sleep with them under their pillow in hope of dreaming about their future spouse.
In the past it was believed that herbs picked at Midsummer was highly potent, and water from the springs could bring good health. 
Midsummer is also linked to fertility and even today March is a month where many children are born.
It is also a good opportunity to eat new potatoes , herring and drink aquavit.......


Gunn







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