Midsummer celebrations are upon us once again! It’s a popular Summer celebration that can only be celebrated properly up in the Northern hemisphere. That’s because Midsummer is all about the Sun not setting at all. This is also known as the Summer solstice.
Since this phenomena is only available in the summer in the Nordic countries, its significance to the Nordic people is apparent. And there are certain cultural aspects about the celebrations that could also be adopted into your everyday lifestyle.
Midsummer isn’t about having a loud, stimulant-driven festival (although there are those too). Instead, it’s all about retreating into nature, most often to a Summer house to properly live in the moment.
Mindfulness is something that many people work hard to learn to practice. But as a Scandi, you’re born into a rather mindful culture. And Midsummer is the perfect example of this.
Here are some popular Midsummer traditions accompanied by a photo diary of how my Midsummer often looks. All photos were taken at our Summer house in the Turku Archipelago in Finland.
Breathtaking Midsummer Celebrations in Scandinavia
Midsummer traditions
The main countries engaging in Midsummer celebrations are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. They are very similar countries both climate-wise and culturally.
Each country has their own traditions. In Sweden they dance around a pole and sing, while in Finland many light bonfires. But basically the big idea is the same in all countries.
Here are some main activities, foods and beliefs revolving around Midsummer celebrations in the Nordic countries.
Read also: 3 Things You Could Learn From The Happiest Country In The World?
Activities
Many like to spend Midsummer at a festival but the original, most authentic Midsummer experience is found at a Summer house.
Most families in Finland have a Summer house either in the archipelago, along the coast or by a lake inland. If a family doesn’t own one, there are plenty of cottages to rent.
The main activities at the Summer house are
- eating well
- spending quality time with family and friends
- enjoying the Midsummer sauna and swimming.
Midsummer is often the first time in a year when Finns go swimming, and it has a very significant, symbolic relevance. More on that a little bit further down.
The Summer houses are always surrounded by nature, and Finns are very nature-savvy. We take care of our woods and waters because they’ve brought us livelihood and so much joy for thousands of years. It would be complete idiocy to destroy such a valuable asset with trash and pollution.
The long weekend includes
- nature walks,
- fishing our own dinner,
- and picking berries and mushrooms, apples and herbs from nature around us.
Another popular nature-related tradition is creating flower-wreaths. These are then worn like crowns during Midsummer celebrations. In the evening we light bonfires to celebrate the nightless night.
Read also: Sustainable Lifestyle – Look After Yourself and Live Longer
Food
Food is always a huge part of any celebration, whether it’s Christmas or Summer solstice. The Food related to the Midsummer celebrations are pretty much the same throughout the Nordic countries.
It’s quite fish-intensive. The main entries on the table include but are not limited to:
- pickled herring and smoked salmon, which are the most celebrated edibles
- sausages and vegetable rotisseries on the barbeque
- cakes and champagne.
- One of the absolute must-haves are new potatoes! These are completely different than your average supermarket-bought potato.
New potatoes are often bought from the local farm near by your Summer house. Doesn’t get much more local than that!
Beliefs
The sun not setting is a very magical thing to experience. So, it’s no surprise that there are a lot of beliefs circling around Midsummer celebrations. A lot of them are about improving one’s quality of life.
One of the best known beliefs is that if a single girl places 7 different flowers under their pillow on the Midsummer eve they will dream of their future husband.
Most of the beliefs are sauna-related. And why not, since sauna is a healthy way to get properly clean. A popular habit especially in Finland is to collect a bouquet of birch branches and hitting each other with them in the sauna. This increases your blood flow and is good for the skin. It is also believed to rid one of evil spirits.
Another sauna-related tradition is to dip in the sea (or a lake) straight from the sauna. This symbolizes shedding one’s “winter fur”. As in, Summer hasn’t really started for you unless you’ve had your first swim. Obviously, this can be done way before Midsummer too. If you dare.
Midsummer is all about being one with our surroundings, enjoying the company of your most loved ones, and going back to basics. Whether that means not wearing a swish of make-up for 3 to 4 days or allowing yourself to just be, natural is the spirit of Nordic Midsummer.
We are so brainwashed to think that if we don’t constantly stay productive and procrastinate, we’re failing in life. But in fact, this way of living only leads to depression and burnout.
Midsummer is the perfect reminder for all of us to slow down and to concentrate on what really matters. Family, friends and THIS moment.
I’m so grateful for being able to spend Midsummers at our Summer house. It was a great opportunity to kick back and really look at my life as a whole. Slowing down properly always reminds me of the fact that life is pretty darn good. Just as it is right now. ♥
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