Midsummer Festivities

One of the biggest holidays in Sweden is Midsummer Eve.
Unfortunately it is based on lots of really pagan traditions, but the Swedes really seem to enjoy it!

This year we were on the island, and a lot of people from Gothenburg take their sailboats and yachts out to Dyrön to celebrate the holiday, so the harbors were packed. Also, miracle of all miracles, the weather was lovely, so there were tons of people.

The little girls are supposed to have pretty dresses, and flowers in their hair. Esther wore a folk dress that her Faster D (aunt) wore for Midsummer when she was Esther's age!


Esther didn't quite understand all the dancing around the Maypole. It is the one time you'll ever see the Swedes collectively do something really silly, like pretend to be dancing, hopping frogs who say "Kowackackack".


Sylvia thought it was just the funniest thing ever when all the Swedes starting dancing around the phallic pole! Her legs started kicking and she started bouncing up and down and giggling! It was too funny!