nPostednJune 22, 2013
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Onenof the most popular times of the year in Sweden is Midsummer. This isncelebrated near Summer Solstice, with most of the celebrationsnoccurring on the Saturday nearest to the Solstice.
Onenof the most popular times of the year in Sweden is Midsummer. This isncelebrated near Summer Solstice, with most of the celebrationsnoccurring on the Saturday nearest to the Solstice.n
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nYounprobably know that Summer Solstice is the longest day (and shortestnnight) of the year. (While Swedes are celebrating Midsommar,npeople in the Southern Hemisphere are celebrating the longest nightnand shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice!)
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DuringnMidsummer, Swedes decorate their houses with bright, flowery wreathsnand garlands. They dance around a decorated midsummer pole to thenaccompaniment of accordions and violins and guitars, and they singnfolk songs. They eat a smorgasbord of salty fish, potatoes, curednfish, meatballs, pickled fish, salads, and—did I mention fish? Theynplay active games such as tug-of-war and have silly races such asnsack races. At night, they continue the party spirit gathered aroundna bonfire. n
DuringnMidsummer, Swedes decorate their houses with bright, flowery wreathsnand garlands. They dance around a decorated midsummer pole to thenaccompaniment of accordions and violins and guitars, and they singnfolk songs. They eat a smorgasbord of salty fish, potatoes, curednfish, meatballs, pickled fish, salads, and—did I mention fish? Theynplay active games such as tug-of-war and have silly races such asnsack races. At night, they continue the party spirit gathered aroundna bonfire. nn
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nInam not sure if people do the bonfire thing in northern Sweden, wherenpeople enjoy the “Midnight Sun.” At these northern latitudes, thensun never goes down at all! Instead, it dips down to the horizonnbefore rising back up into the sky. Even “southern Sweden” isnpretty far north, and 6:00 p.m. at Midsummer seems more like noon tonthe rest of us.
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nHerenis a humorous video about Midsummer in Sweden.
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nLearn about Midsummer Party in nearby Denmark.
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nAlso on this date:
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Schoolteachers’ Day in El Salvador
Schoolteachers’ Day in El Salvador n
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Anniversarynof the lowering the voting age in the U.S.
Anniversarynof the lowering the voting age in the U.S.n
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Great American Backyard Campout
Great American Backyard Campout n
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ExplorernGeorge Vancouver’s birthday
ExplorernGeorge Vancouver’s birthdayn
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest pages on Junenholidays, historicalnanniversaries in June,nand Junenbirthdays.
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest pages on Julynholidays, historicalnanniversaries in July,nand Julynbirthdays.
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