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| The Official Welcoming of Summer |
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Midsummer, an observation of the longest day of the year, is celebrated in each of the Scandinavian countries. Midsummer, originally a pagan holiday, is celebrated on the day of John the Baptist and is now held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice.
In Sweden the celebration takes place around a maypole that is trimmed with garlands of flowers. The word majstang (maypole) has nothing to do with the month of May. The custom att maja means to decorate with green leaves and branches, and at midsummer this is done freely. The maypole is raised on an open grassy area and the celebrants join hands and dance around it to tunes played on an accordion or fiddle.
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Swedish Americans enjoy a traditional Swedish midsommar celebration at The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Visit our
for a list of upcoming Twin Cities' Scandinavian events.
We thank The American Swedish Institute for the use of these photos.
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In Finland everyone goes to their favorite lake shore where they build a bonfire, which is lit at midnight, and they dance. Since midsummer was originally a pagan holiday, a number of superstitions are associated with the celebrations. It is very important to have birch in the house to guarantee future happiness. The Finns also hang birch wreaths on their cows' horns to protect them. When the cows return home in the evening, the wreath becomes part of their meal.
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Norwegians enjoy a traditional Sankt Hans Aften bonfire on the beach in Tromsø, Norway.
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| In Norway and Denmark midsummer is also known as Sankt Hans Aften and is celebrated on the eve of John the Baptist Day. In Norway customs date back to pagan times when tribute was paid to the powers of the sun god with bonfires signifying the defeat of darkness. Often there is a procession that begins in the early evening that is led by a musician. It is a tradition to light a bonfire and to dance. Hot dogs, pølser, are popular midsummer fare around the fire. On this evening the magic creatures such as trolls and huldurs are invisible partners in the merrymaking. |
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Midsummer celebrants in Minneapolis enjoy a traditional procession followed by dancing and a bonfire. |
| In Denmark bonfires are also an important part of the celebration. Danes gather for a picnic, and after dark a bonfire with an effigy of a witch on top is set ablaze. A rocket-like firecracker is concealed in the witch’s clothing which, upon ignition, represents the witch’s return to Bloksbjerg, a mountain in the Black Forest and the home of the devil. |
Create your own midsummer celebration and enjoy our splendid midsummer menu. |
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Our Splendid Midsummer Menu
A Traditional Swedish Summer Smörgåsbord
Most ingredients available in
our old world meat market and online!
Matjes sill
Boiled new potatoes with fresh dill
Cold cucumber salad
Wasa crisp bread, cardamom bread or limpa
Swedish "Midsommar" Cake
Swedish "Midsommar" Cake
A very popular and traditional summer cake |
4 eggs
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of corn starch
2 tsp. baking powder |
FILLING:
2 pints fresh strawberries
1/4 cup of sugar
1 pint of whipping cream
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Grease and flour a 10" springform pan. Beat eggs and sugar well. Stir in flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 375º for 30 min.
Let cool and slice into 2 or 3 layers. Reserve best strawberries for decoration.
Thinly slice the remaining berries and mix in sugar. Whip cream. Spread berries and whipped cream between layers, reserving enough cream to spread on top of cake. Garnish top with halved berries. |
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Suggestions for Creating the Atmosphere
• Have your meal outside
• Decorate your table with wildflowers, wooden maypoles and Swedish flags
• Make flower rings and wear them in your hair
• Create a maypole with branches and wildflowers
• Learn a ring dance and dance around your maypole
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• Fill the air with Scandinavian music! |
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All of the favorite midsummer games on one album ready for you to listen to or dance around the midsummer pole yourself.
(Swedish)
$18.95
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Swedish National Day 
Since 1916, June 6th has been celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day. This finally also became Sweden's National Day in 1983. This day was chosen to mark two historical dates: the election of Gustav Vasa as Sweden's king on June 6, 1523 laid the foundation of Sweden as a separate state; and on the same date in 1809, Sweden adopted a new constitution which included the establishment of civil rights and liberties.
Denmark’s Constitution Day 
June 5th marks Constitution Day for Danes. It was on this date in 1849 that King Frederik VII signed Denmark’s first free constitution. Danes may take a ½ day off work on this day and fly their national flag called Dannebrog. This name literally means "the cloth of the Danes" and is a simple white cross on a striking red rectangle.
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The Danish public fly their flag on special occasions, religious holidays,national days and birthdays in the Royal family. June 15th is also a flag day, called Valdemar Day. A legend says that Dannebrog fell from the sky on June 15th 1219 to the Danish King Valdemar II during his crusade to Estonia. Seen as a sign of divine approval, King Valdemar II won the battle at Lyndanisse near Reval (Tallin) with the flag in his hand. If this legend marks the year of 1219 correctly the Danish flag would be the world’s oldest national flag still in use.
Good food, music and dancing are enjoyed by all at Danish Day in Minneapolis. Visit our Community Events page for a list of more
Twin Cities' Scandinavian events. |
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More information on Scandinavian summer customs... Links | |
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