5 Essentials for a Perfect Swedish Midsommar

Swedish Midsommar is the celebration of the summer solstice which marks the longest day of the year.  Midsommar is by far the most popular holiday on the Swedish calender, falling on the weekend of the 22nd of June.  Midsommar was once believed to be a very magical time of year.  While many of the traditions are still practiced, Midsommar is a time to be with family, get out of the city if you can and to drink a lot of alcohol.

Krans

Krans is the flower head dress that Swedes wear at Midsommar.  The young maiden must choose 7 varieties of wild flowers and interlace them into a crown made of birch branches.  At the end of the night she is to put the flowers under her pillow and when she sleeps it is said she will dream of her future husband.

Midsommar Stång

The Midsommar stång is a large cross with a ring hanging from either arm.  Like the krans, the Midsommar stång is covered in summer flowers.  It will be the location of and jumping off point for the following essentials... 

Songs

Singing is a big part of Swedish culture, especially when drinking is involved.  There are several to choose from but Små Grodorna is good for the whole family.

Små Grodorna (the song that quacks about frogs)

Små Grodorna, små Grodorna

Är lustiga att se

Små Grodorna, små Grodorna

Är lustiga att se

Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de

Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de

Koack, ack, ack. Koack, ack, ack.

Koack ack ack ack kaa.

Little frog, little frog

So funny to see

Little frog, little frog

So funny to see

No ears, no ears, no tail do they have.

No ears, no ears, no tail do they have.

Koack, ack, ack. Koack, ack, ack.

Koack ack ack ack kaa.

Dance

Now that you have the attire, the Midsommar stång and the songs in order, you'll need to know how to dance like a Swede at Midsommar.  Nothing complicated here.  A very popular dance is where the entire group holds hands in a circle around the stång, collectively circling to the left and then the right,  singing either the aforementioned små grodorna song or a simple diddy that recounts the days of the week and all the chores associated with a particular day - a good chunk of the week is devoted to laundry.

 

Snaps

 And here is the magic ingredient that gets it all going,  Swedes are reserved.  It's cultural.  They are programmed that way not only behaviorally but linguistically.  The language itself does not give way to over expression.  Snaps, or Aquavit as it is called here, is an herb flavored hard liquor that is taken in shots.  Snaps is the traditional beverage but really it can be snaps... or vodka or beer or wine or all of the above.  If you ask a Swede directly if they partake, most will deny it...with a sly smile.  Midsommar is when the Swedes let loose ... once the kids are in bed of course ... or thereabouts.

Traditional Midsommar Krans

 (I slipped some peonies in there.  Not exactly wild but you get the picture.)