Today, people all over the country are celebrating with food, flowers, and peculiar dances. One of the most popular is "Små Grodorna" (The little frogs) which is accompanied by both children and adults froghopping around the Midsommarstång.
Both women and men like to dress up in traditional dresses. There is a "Sweden dress," but most villages also has a unique style. Many people decorate their houses with flowers and birches, and even the cars get their fair share of flowers and leaves.
It's a big food holiday too. And drink, of course...
There are many myths surrounding the Midsummer night. If you pick seven different kinds of flowers (it's supposed to be certain kinds of flowers) and put them under your pillow, you allegedly dream of the love of your life. It's also possible to see the fairies dance, and possibly to see Näcken sitting in a river, playing violin, trying to lure maidens to come into the river and drown. If they do, they'll belong to him forever.
Swedes abroad take Midsummer with us when we leave. In my area, the Scandinavian society of Sarasota celebrate Midsummer each year. The IKEA restaurants provide Swedes living abroad with a traditional Swedish midsummer buffet. It's not the same as doing it at home, but a pretty good substitute.
That is so neat, Maria! :D I wish you a very happy Midsummer! Do you have your own midsummerpole at your home??
ReplyDeleteThank you! =D I used to have a midsummerpole back home, but I haven't gotten around to it here. It would be cool though, I'll have to do that next year! =D
ReplyDeleteFun!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of traveling with my parents to all the different countries and seeing all the traditions and such. We tend to forget how interesting life is beyond our own borders or maybe even as far as across the street.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing, Maria
Lynn and Tina, thank you for stopping by! =D
ReplyDeleteinteresting Maria and brought back memories of our time in Scandinavia. I always remember a Swedish friend wearing national dress to our son's christening in California.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post. As I told you before we had our Maggie for ten months as an exchange student. She is from Malmo and brought so many of the Swedish customs to our lives. Love that flagpole - a lot of work, but sure looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteAngela and Paisley, thank you for coming over! I love how customs differ from country to country, it's fascinating. =D
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I LOVE reading how other cultures celebrate. It makes the world a smaller, more inviting and fascinating place. And I gotta say, I am loving the new IKEA in my neighborhood!! LOL
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