Midsummer, a massively celebrated holiday with several longstanding traditions at its heart, is one of the most important dates in the Swedish calendar. While the celebration of Midsummer, also known as the summer solstice, is a major part of countless global cultures, few go as far as the Swedes in their merrymaking. Unlike most other countries, Midsummer is a public holiday in Sweden, allowing for a rich and exciting tapestry of celebrations.
And Midsummer isn’t the only unique Swedish tradition. Numerous other customs native to this Scandinavian country aren’t really practiced elsewhere in the world. From numbering the year in weeks instead of months to the abundance of Julbocks around Christmas, Sweden is certainly one of the more unique countries. Keep reading for an overview of Midsummer and other Swedish traditions.
What is Midsummer?
Midsummer is celebrated worldwide on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Many countries have specific rituals to mark the event. In the UK, thousands of revelers gather at Stonehenge, for example. Nevertheless, Midsummer in Sweden is much more important than almost anywhere else worldwide. It’s an occasion for merriment and several important traditions.
Midsummer in Sweden is unique for various reasons. As one of the northernmost countries, the sheer jubilation expressed on the longest day of the year makes a lot of sense, considering the lack of sunlight at other times. Next, we’ll explore some of the principal ways in which Swedes celebrate Midsummer.
How do Swedes celebrate Midsummer?
Each year, Sweden celebrates Midsummer on a Friday that falls between June 19 and June 25. One of the most iconic traditions involves dancing around a maypole covered in greenery and wildflowers. Midsummer is inextricably linked with nature, particularly plants and their magical powers. As a result, young women often pick seven unique kinds of wildflowers and put them under their pillow. It’s said that they will consequently dream of their future husbands that night.
A traditional Midsummer meal includes pickled herring, fresh potatoes and aquavit, a powerful, distilled spirit dating back to the 15th century. Afterward, celebrations fueled by schnapps are accompanied by traditional songs and dances. As night finally descends, revelers flock to open water to skinny dip in the moonlight. It’s a fitting end to a genuinely magical tradition.
A few other Swedish traditions
Midsummer isn’t the only famous Swedish tradition, although it’s arguably the most important. On the opposite side of the year, Christmas is also a time for countless special customs. An abundance of Christmas markets light up cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo in December. There is also the Feast of Santa Lucia on December 13, where girls dress in flowing white robes with green wreaths on their heads.
Elsewhere in the year, on the last day of April, Valborg is a particularly fiery day that loosely resembles Bonfire Night in the UK. Swedes also have a rich musical tradition, with incredibly popular rock festivals. Just consider the new Sweden Rock Live album for proof of this.
The history of Swedish culture
Swedish culture is integral to the nation’s identity and has been for centuries. Organizations such as https://www.svenska-klubben.com/ play a vital part in upholding traditions and customs. It has a stacked calendar of events and over 600 active members. There is also a magazine sent to members seven times a year, detailing recent events in the community and laying out plans for upcoming traditional holidays.
The Vikings are still a bedrock of Swedish culture, although the country has moved on from this in many ways. Establishing a clear vision of nationhood was essential for the first Swedish kings, and this played a huge part in the success of the Swedish Empire during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, in recent times, this idea of nationhood has been steeped in pacifist logic and a strong sense of community.
How Swedish traditions differ from elsewhere
Several aspects of Sweden’s history result in a unique culture and set of traditions. For example, despite the country’s relative affluence in the 21st century, Swedes have historically dealt with serious poverty and famine. This explains the careful attitude they have to food and provisions, with it being unusual for households to feed guests, in most instances.
Sweden also strongly pursues neutrality and a pacifist agenda. It hasn’t been involved in any wars since 1814, and this is reflected in the nation’s general temperament. Arguments are scorned, and people rarely resort to physical violence.
