MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL
The summer is characterized by the Feast of St John or Midsummer celebrated on the Saturday closest to June 24th. Like the Feast of St Lucia, that of St John too is an exaltation of light as the opposite to the darkness of winter. On this occasion, houses, churches, streets, public squares and even cars are decorated with plants and flowers and all the celebrations take place outdoors and in particular around the "Maypole". This is a pole decorated with branches and flowers set up in every city, town and village. Around the Maypole, symbol of summer and nature's reawakening, dances are performed, games are played and songs are sung all through the night, to celebrate "Midsummer's Eve".
Tradition holds that the night of St John has magic powers. It is believed
for example that the dew that falls during the night is a miraculous drug
and that if seven different types of flowers are collected in as many different
fields, tied in one bunch and placed under the pillow, a man or woman will
dream of the person they will marry. Food too is important on this occasion
and traditional dishes include herrings prepared in different ways, new potatoes
and giant strawberries. Moreover, like all nations that enjoy company, drinking
with friends and having a good time, the Swedish people care about good food
and their national dishes are the richest and most varied of all the Scandinavian
countries.