Celebrating the Season with Swedish Cultural Traditions
Sweden is a fascinating country, widely known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and cultural traditions. One of the most distinguished Swedish cultural traits is the way the country celebrates its seasons. Each season brings with it unique festivals and activities, all of which vestiges of the rich cultural heritage of the country. In this blog post, we explore how Swedes celebrate the seasons, particularity the winter and summer seasons.
Winter Season Celebrations
Winter is perhaps the most popular season in Sweden, with it comes several festivities. Christmas is an important holiday in Sweden, during which each family comes together to celebrate with a traditional meal consisting of ham, herring, meatballs, and red cabbage. Drinks during these celebrations include hot spiced wine, Glögg, and non-alcoholic Julmust. During Christmas, most houses are adorned with candles, spinning wheels, and straw goats that represent the goat from the story of Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia Day is celebrated on the 13th of December and marks the beginning of the Christmas holiday season. This day is symbolized by a procession where the eldest daughter of a household dressed in a white gown with a red sash and a crown consisting of tall candles. She leads a group of handmaidens, usually the younger sisters or friends, who also wear white gowns and hold candles. This procession is aimed at bringing light to the dark and cold days of winter.
Another celebration in Sweden during the winter season is the New Year’s Eve celebration, where people come together to party and usher in the New Year. People usually celebrate with champagne, fireworks, and a traditional meal of lobster soup and shellfish for dinner.
Summer Season Celebrations
Summer is another popular season in Sweden, and it brings with it a lot of festivities and activities. The most anticipated celebration during the summer season is the Midsummer’s Eve, which is celebrated on the Friday nearest to the summer solstice, that often falls on the 21st June. It marks the beginning of summer and is a day where people come together to celebrate with family and friends. The celebration involves people doing traditional dances, singing, and feasting mostly on pickled herring, salmon, boiled potatoes, and several other delicacies.
National Day, celebrated on the 6th of June, is another significant event during the summer season. On this day, Swedes come together to celebrate the country’s democracy and independence. Activities during this day include parades, concerts, and other festivities.
Conclusion
Swedish traditions and celebrations are rich in culture, history, and significance. Taking part in them is a powerful way to get acquainted with the country’s culture, absorb its beauty, and appreciate its heritage. Swedish celebrations create the perfect environment for people to come together and enjoy each other’s company. We hope this post has inspired you to take part in some of these celebrations and activities when next you’re in Sweden.
