Tomorrow is Midsommarafton (Midsummer’s Eve). It’s a big holiday in Sweden. Most people have off work tomorrow, and most everyone leaves the city and gather with friends and family elsewhere to celebrate. It involves dinner, vodka shots, drinking songs, and of course the Maypole.
I believe the ritual has its origins in paganism. But don’t quote me on that. The maypole, a rather obvious phallic symbol, was meant to “fertilize” the land so there would be good harvests that year. These days people still put up maypoles, but I’m sure just for the tradition of it.
Like I said before, many people gather with friends and families. In some parts of Sweden there are bigger gatherings and lots of festivities including dances around the pole.
I haven’t been to any of these festivals since I moved here. In fact, the first year we didn’t celebrate at all. Last year we traveled up to R?ttvik and stayed in a cabin and had dinner with family. But I have been to these celebrations in New York City, of all places. They have a massive one every year in Battery Park. We went a few years in a row when we still lived in NJ. Transplanted Swedes from all over the area came to sit, drink, eat, and dance around the pole. It’s very festive and a lot of fun.
This year we won’t be doing anything much. Daniel and I are going to take a one-time grill to a park and grill some hamburgers and hot dogs. We hav 1 foot tall maypole that we’ll take with us. And we’ll have our own tiny celebration in peace and quiet.
It is a very lovely holiday.
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