Wondering what all the fuss is about? Where all the Stockholmers have gone? Or maybe you’re just looking for a place to celebrate Midsummer in the city?
Swedish Midsummer is easily the most celebrated holiday in the country, rivaled only by Christmas. Nature is in full bloom, love is in the air and twilight replaces most of the dark hours. It’s a time when the city becomes eerily quiet as people head to the archipelago or the country to gather around the May pole with family and friends. Here’s a brief description of Midsommar (pronounced with a short i and a silent d) and where in Stockholm you can join in the festivities.
History
Originally, the Vikings celebrated Midsummer as a fertility rite. The May pole was a phallic symbol, which was planted into the earth to symbolically fertilize Mother Nature in hopes of a bountiful harvest later in the year. The celebration marked the Summer Solstice – the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Today, the holiday always takes place on a Friday and usually marks the beginning of the summer holiday for most Swedes.
Traditions
A typical Midsummer feast consists of a variety of sill (pickled herring), boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, sour cream, red onions and crisp bread. Often followed by a grilled dish and a cheese pie. Janssons Frestelse (or Jansson’s Temptation) is another favourite – just like at Christmas.
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For dessert Swedes usually serve up the first strawberries of summer with cream. Or make a cake – with cream and strawberries. But no Midsummer spread would be complete without a bottomless glass of spiced schnapps, with which traditional “snapsvisor” (folk drinking songs) are sung upon refills. If you only learn – and take part in – one – this should be it!
Houses are decorated with birch wreaths and flower garlands and women and girls often wear wreaths in their hair. Swedes then dance around the decorated “Majstång” (May pole) while singing traditional folk songs and often times dressing up in national costumes. But don’t worry – this won’t be required of you – unless you want to.
Midsummer Gatherings in Stockholm
Most restaurants and stores are closed on Midsummer, but for those of you in town for the holiday there are still some places that will be full of people. Here’s a few examples of the Midsummer fests in Stockholm:
Skansen
Celebrations all weekend with extra festivities on Midsummer Eve. The program includes dancing around the May pole, Swedish folk dances, games, and music.
Where: Skansen Open Air Museum, Djurgården
When: Friday, June 20, 2014, 10am to 9.30pm, Saturday 11am to 11pm, Sunday 11am-to 2.45 pm
Damage: 150 SEK for adults and 60 for children (includes entrance to Skansen)
Look below for a taster of what you can expect:
Akalla By
Traditional Midsummer celebrations with dancing, games and fun for the kids. Fika, hot dog and popcorn will be sold on site, but why not bring a picnic basket of your own?
Where: Akalla By, T-bana Akalla
When: Friday, June 20, 2014, between 11am and 4pm.
Damage: Free
Vitabergsparken
Appell Folkdance Society arranges a midsummer celebration with dancing games, children’s games, and folk dance performances. Food and drinks will be sold.
Where: Vitabergsparken, Södermalm
When: Friday, June 20, 2014, from midday and onwards
Damage: Free
Hågelbyparken
Traditional Midsummer celebrations with Slagsta Gille leading dance around the maypole. The celebrations include singalong, raffles as well as dance and singing performances. The park has both a café and a restaurant.
Where: Hågelbyparken
When: Friday, June 20, 2014, 11am to 4pm
Damage: admission 50 SEK for adults, 20 SEK for children between 2 and 15 years of age.
For more information on Midsummer celebrations in YOUR part of Stockholm (in Swedish), click here.
Glad Midsommar, everyone!
Featured Image: Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden.se
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