Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Midsommar - The most Swedish of Swedish Holidays

After the long dark winter, Swedes celebrate the summer solstice and the arrival of the midnight sun!  We eat, drink, sing, eat, drink, dance and drink some more!  Midsummer traces its roots to old pagan times and medieval observers of the Nordic Peoples recorded: "they gather in throngs on town squares or out in the fields to cheerfully enter in dance".  Through the ages, traditions and superstitions surrounding this celebration include saving your midsummer wreath until Christmas and soaking it in your bath as well as rolling around naked in the midsummer day dew -- both for health, of course!  Watch "Swedish Midsummer for Dummies" above to learn how to celebrate today.  GLAD MIDSOMMAR!