What happens in midsummer in Sweden?
What happens in midsummer in Sweden?
Midsummer takes place in June and is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is one of the most celebrated holidays in Sweden. A maypole is created and raised during the day, which people gather around to dance and sing.
What does the Swedish midsummer pole symbolize?
The Midsummer maypole (Midsommarstången) Others say the shape has its roots in Norse mythology, and that it represents an axis linking the underworld, earth, and heavens.
Where is midsummer celebrated in Sweden?
Dalarna
Sweden’s most famous midsummer celebrations are held in Dalarna. Centred around Lake Siljan, Dalarna is an incredibly picturesque (and touristy) region. Think sweeping green hills, flower meadows and log cabins – that’s Dalarna in a nutshell.
How do Swedes spell midsummer?
Since 1954, Midsummer has been celebrated on the Saturday that falls between June 20 and 26. In Swedish, it is called midsommar, in Finnish it is juhannus. Midsummer has been an event full of customs and superstitions, most of which have to do with weather, wealth and future life partners.
Why does Sweden celebrate Midsummer?
In agrarian times, Midsummer celebrations in Sweden were held to welcome summertime and the season of fertility. In some areas people dressed up as ‘green men’, clad in ferns. They also decorated their houses and farm tools with foliage, and raised tall, leafy maypoles to dance around, probably as early as the 1500s.
Why is Midsummer’s Day important?
Historically, this day marks the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvest. It is traditionally known as one of four “Quarter Days” in some cultures. The night before Midsummer Day is called Midsummer Eve (June 23) which is on or near the shortest night of the year!
How important is midsummer in Sweden?
In Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve is one of the most important days of the year, rivaling Christmas with its festive spirit and traditions. Traditionally, Midsummer was celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. In 1952 the Swedish Parliament decided that Midsummer should always be celebrated on a weekend.
Why do we celebrate midsummer in Sweden?
Does Sweden have 24 hours sunlight?
Bask in the glow of the Midnight Sun Because during this magical time of year, the sun shines 24 hours a day across northern Sweden. And venture even nearer the North Pole to the quaint village of Abisko, and you’ll enjoy 55 days when the sun never sets.
Is midsummer pagan?
Traditionally, Midsummer was a pagan celebration of fertility and of light defeating darkness. That is still the backbone of Scandinavian Midsummer, and is evident in the method of celebration, including bonfires, feasts, and dancing.
How long is midsummer in Sweden?
five-week
Flower wreaths, dancing and a sun that never sets. Swedes call it Midsummer. Swedes are fairly well attuned to the rhythms of nature. At Midsummer, many begin their five-week annual holidays and everyone is in a hurry to get things done during the relatively short summer season.
Why is midsummer called Midsummer?
Summer Solstice: midsummer or the beginning of summer? With celebrations originating in ancient times as a festival for the summer solstice, this could be where the name comes from. Bonfires were lit up to ward off evil spirits as the sun turned southward.
How does Sweden celebrate Midsummer?
Most people in Sweden celebrate the evening before, and on Midsummer’s day itself, many businesses are closed to allow workers to revel as they see fit. Swedes then dance around the decorated midsummer pole while listening to traditional folk songs known to all.
When is Midsummer celebrated?
Summer Solstice was on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
What is Swedish Midsummer?
Midsummer is widely celebrated in Sweden and Midsummer’s Day is a public holiday. Originally, back when the Vikings ravaged in Scandinavia (and elsewhere…), it was a fertility rite. The May pole was a phallic symbol, which was supposed to fertilize Mother nature, in hope that the harvests would be good later in the year.
