Midsummer.

For the second year in a row I celebrated midsummer abroad. And not just abroad, but without any other swedes. These international midsummer's have been different but quite amazing, in a way the best ones I ever had.

I truly love midsummer, it's one of my favorite celebrations of the year. The origin of the tradition is pagan and it is the summer solstice that is celebrated. It is celebrated in many countries in some different ways. In Sweden, Midsummer's Eve is celebrated from the eve of the Friday between June 19 - 25. In the old Norse pagan religions the sun was worshiped and midsummer's eve was celebrated with sacrifices and fertility rituals. In the 4th century the christian church connected the celebration to the nativity of St. John the Baptist, that was said to be born 6 months after Christ, the 24th of June.

Today misdsummer's eve is a big celebration for the whole family, and most people spend the day and the evening outside. You often leave home in the morning and go to a park or an open air celebration place. Midsummer pole's, covered with leaves and flowers, are risen and especially children with parents or grand parents are dancing around the pole to traditional music and songs.

Midsummerpole (mini one)

There's usually also some activites and lotteries going on. A lot of children also do flower crowns that they wear in their hair. The year's first potatoes, pickled herring, sour cream, and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu, and also bbq is common. Snaps and drinking songs are also important, and many drink heavily. Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse.

Making the flower crowns.

I've really enjoyed my international midsummer's since it's been such an interest for the traditions and especially the flower crowns. This year was different from last year since we had to be inside. But on the other hand we had a mini midsummer pole! Since we were two parties that merge it was also a lot of new faces, which I really enjoyed! So thank you all for celebrating midsummer with me! See again for next year!