Midsummer: Sweden's real national day

[icymist]

Midsummer: Sweden's real national day
Published: 21st June 2006 21:25 CET

Summer is barely underway at Midsummer –arguably Sweden’s best loved holiday. Swedes regale with food, dance and merriment around the midsommarstång they’ve so lovingly prepared, decorated and erected. It is Sweden’s maypole, a symbol of fertility and Sweden’s love for the summer season. And a darn good excuse for a party.

Midsommar is just about as Swedish as it gets. Rain, shine, snow or full blown blizzard, Swedes always herald the beauty of Swedish nature even if they need to huddle shivering under dripping tree branches. Nothing gets between a Swede and her exuberance in the glory of Sweden a-grow in green.

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There are romantic notions of the spirit of Midsummer’s Eve. It’s said that if a girl picks seven different types of flowers and puts them under her pillow her future husband will appear in a dream. Midsummer is believed to be a magical time for love. Whether true or not, the copious amounts of alcohol and the lure of love bumps the birthrate nine months later.
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