About Swedish Midsommar Celebrations

Next to Christmas, Midsommar is the most awaited and most observed holiday in Sweden. Because of Scandinavia's Northern latitudes, the time of the summer solstice brings daylight through the night and marks the time to go outdoors and celebrate. Swedes have been celebrating Midsommar for centuries and up until about a century ago, it and Christmas were the only two days many Swedish workers had off from work! Midsommar is celebrated on the Friday and Saturday closest to June 23rd and 24th.

Probably the most recognizable Midsommar tradition is the Midsommarstång (midsummer pole) or Majstång (maypole) -- so called because the verb "att maja" means to decorate with greens. Swedes decorate the pole with greenery and flowers, then dance around it. The whole family participates in traditional ring dances or sånglekar (song games). Other traditional Midsommar activities include enjoying a yummy smörgåsbord, singing, dancing and games. For children (and adults) there may be relay races, while adults traditionally participate in drinking games and social dancing (especially as the party progresses into the night).

Dishes one should expect to find at a Midsommarssmörgåsbord are potatoes, herring and strawberries. There are also likely to be other fish dishes (especially pickled), salads, breads, crispbreads, cheeses, ham, meatballs and desserts.

 

click above for more fotos of traditional celebrations like the one above in Dalarna and links to other sites about Midsommar.

[our celebration 2004] [our celebration 2003]