Happy Midsummer!
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on
June 21st, 2008
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Today is Midsummer Eve in Sweden, one of the largest and most festive celebrations of the year. The Swedes raise the traditional Maypole, sing popula and somewhat silly folk songs, and dance around the pole together with the whole family. Most drink enormous amounts of alcohol, Vodka and different kinds of snaps are popular, together with fresh potatoes and pickled herring. It's a nice and relaxed tradition which is as popular as Christmas. The Midsummer tradition goes way back in time and is celebrated in a select number of countries. Mostly in Scandinavia but also in a number of other European countries. Midsummer is simply summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and a gorgeous time to be in Sweden. Especially in the north. Enjoying 24 hours of sunlight for weeks is really special. Origins of Midsummer vary by country but are often religious and have something to do with Christianity. Not so in Sweden, the least religious country in the world. Origin is not exactly clear but goes back to pre-Christian times. I can for sure say that not a single Swede has religion in mind when celebrating this fine holiday. The holiday is simple but focused on family. Get together for some nice food and lots of alcohol, hopefully in nice weather, is what's it all about. The salty pickled herring goes well with any kind of snaps and the Swedes are not shy drinkers. The huge number of snaps are accompanied by funny drinking songs and lots of laughs. Kids are always included although we try to keep them away from snaps. Sadly, I'm right now on a flight to Germany for the fourth weekend in a row. I'm playing tennis in the pro-league down there but my family is enjoying midsummer in a cozy summer house outside Stockholm together with two other nice families. Foxy Wife will either have lots of fun or go completely crazy after hanging out with eight kids a whole weekend……… Happy Midsummer!
Popularity: 6% [?]
Happy Midsummer!
By
on
February 10th, 2012
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Today is Midsummer Eve in Sweden, one of the largest and most festive celebrations of the year. The Swedes raise the traditional Maypole, sing popular and somewhat silly folk songs, and dance around the pole together with the whole family. Most drink enormous amounts of alcohol, Vodka and different kinds of snaps are popular, together with fresh potatoes and pickled herring. It's a nice and relaxed tradition which is as popular as Christmas. The Midsummer tradition goes way back in time and is celebrated in a select number of countries. Mostly in Scandinavia but also in a number of other European countries. Midsummer is simply summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and a gorgeous time to be in Sweden. Especially in the north. Enjoying 24 hours of sunlight for weeks is really special. Origins of Midsummer vary by country but are often religious and have something to do with Christianity. Not so in Sweden, the least religious country in the world. Origin is not exactly clear but goes back to pre-Christian times. I can for sure say that not a single Swede has religion in mind when celebrating this fine holiday. The holiday is simple but focused on family. Get together for some nice food and lots of alcohol, hopefully in nice weather, is what's it all about. The salty pickled herring goes well with any kind of snaps and the Swedes are not shy drinkers. The huge number of snaps are accompanied by funny drinking songs and lots of laughs. Kids are always included although we try to keep them away from snaps. Sadly, I'm right now on a flight to Germany for the fourth weekend in a row. I'm playing tennis in the pro-league down there but my family is enjoying midsummer in a cozy summer house outside Stockholm together with two other nice families. Foxy Wife will either have lots of fun or go completely crazy after hanging out with eight kids a whole weekend……… Happy Midsummer!
Popularity: unranked [?]
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