Swedish midsummer

Midsommar is an ancient Swedish summer festival and is perhaps the biggest event in the Swedish calendar. The festivities usually take place on the Friday of Midsummer’s Eve. Several days prior to Midsummer, people head out of the cities and towards summer cottages, camping sites and marinas.

In the morning, children and grown-ups collect flowers and greenery from the fields and woods to decorate the Midsummer pole and to make flower wreaths for wearing on their heads. The old tradition was that girls would silently pick a posy of seven flowers and lay it under their pillow at night so as to dream of the husband that fate had in store for them.

The Midsummer pole is always the centrepiece of the celebrations. In the afternoon, people gather as it is raised. They dance in rings, sing and participate in competitions while folk music from fiddles and accordions plays. When they get hungry, they set tables for a traditional feast.

The tables are decorated with flowers and Swedish flags. Tableware and napkins are usually bright, fresh colours. Midsummer is a family celebration, so children have a special place at the table.