Midsummer’s Eve is possibly the biggest public celebration in Sweden, and it’s happening this week on Friday. Swedes gather to eat, drink and be merry together.
So, what are the origins of Midsummer and why is it celebrated?
Sweden has its origins in an agrarian society, and it was on the farms that people started the celebration. Even today, some Swedes don’t consider it Midsummer unless they are ‘på landet’ – in the countryside.
The main purpose for the farmers was to welcome the summertime and the season of fertility, after a long, cold winter. These celebrations began as early as the 500’s. People lit bonfires and visited holy springs where they engaged in games and dancing. This tradition developed to dancing around a decorated maypole sometime in the 1500’s.
In the 1700-1800’s, the celebration of Midsummer spread to the industrial communities where, for example, workers were given pickled herring, beer and snaps. A food tradition that exists today.
Eventually in the 1900’s, Midsummer became a celebration for all Swedes and developed into Sweden’s most Swedish festivity!
Watching the Swedes 