The Swedes call the longest day of the year "Midsommar". In Scandinavia, it is light for so long on this day that the sun barely sets. The festival usually falls on the weekend closest to June 24 and is celebrated with numerous traditions. Midsummer marks the height of summer and also symbolizes fertility. Alongside Christmas, it is the most important event of the year for the Swedish population.
Traditions for Midsummer in Sweden
A central element of the festival is the erection and decoration of a Midsummer pole (Majstång or Midsommarstång), which resembles a maypole. It is decorated with leaves, flowers and ribbons and serves as the centerpiece for traditional dances and songs. The dancing is lively and involves both the young and the old. A particular highlight is the dance "Små grodorna" (the little frogs), in which everyone hops around the Midsummer pole like frogs.
Flowers are omnipresent at Midsummer celebrations, especially as headdresses. Women and girls weave twigs and grasses into wreaths, which they decorate with flowers and place on their heads. These flower crowns express joy, fertility and a connection with nature. It is also customary for young women to place seven different types of flowers under their pillows to inspire dreams of their future husbands on Midsummer's Eve.
The party is always held outside, preferably in the countryside. After all, you want to watch the sunset – or, in northern parts of Sweden, the so-called midnight sun, which never sets completely on Midsummer's Eve.
Midsummer food: typical dishes
Food also plays a key role in Midsummer celebrations. Swedes enjoy a selection of traditional dishes during this important event. The traditional Midsummer meal includes the following dishes:
- Sill: various types of pickled herring, usually served with potatoes, sour cream and fresh chives
- Young potatoes: boiled and garnished with dill
- Gravad Lax: raw salmon slices marinated in a dill and mustard sauce
- Crispbread: crispy, flat bread, often served as a side dish with fish
- Köttbullar: The well-known Swedish meatballs are another popular Midsummer dish; they are often served with lingonberries.
- Jordgubbstårta or fresh strawberries: A typical dessert is strawberry tart – or alternatively fresh strawberries with cream.
Offer a Midsummer meal to your guests
Midsummer is an event full of enjoyment. So why not convey a little of this atmosphere to your restaurant guests? Decorate your restaurant with flowers and offer a special Midsummer meal or include corresponding dishes on the daily menu.
The tableware on which the Swedish specialties are served can enhance the Midsummer flair. SCHÖNWALD celebrates the height of summer with the Nordic-inspired SCANDIC porcelain collection. The Midsummer decor was specially designed for this collection: green shades and fine variegation set the tone for this motif decor. Leaves and flowers are printed on the plates in the form of wreaths in a natural but subtle variety of colors. When serving, the wreath can be used to frame the food or deliberately break up the airy curves. This creates a midsummer aura on the laid table - further emphasised by the minimalist, clear design language of the SCANDIC porcelain collection, which is typical of Nordic design.
