Traditions
Here the celebration always follows a particular order*
Lurlåt
Fanfare on the Nordic lur (birch bark horn) heralds the start of the day's featured ceremony. Note the call by one lur player answered by the other.
Midsommartåget
Next comes the traditional procession of greens bearers, musicians, folk dancers and others in Nordic folk costumes, from the upper grounds to the site of the midsommar pole.
Majning
Symbolic of the coming of summer, the prone pole is adorned with fresh greenery while the assembled musicians play Swedish spelmanslåtar (folk fiddling tunes).
Midsommar Greetings
While the pole is being wrapped with the garland and the flowers are added, it's time for greetings. This year, we have the good fortune to once again be able to share special greetings from Petra Hilleberg, Designated Honorary Consul of Sweden to Washington and Oregon.
Placing the Last Rose
For Skandia, the last step before the pole raising begins is the addition of a special red rose attached right at the crossbar. This rose is in honor of all those who can only be present in spirit as there are many who are no longer able to join us.
Majstångsresningen
This is the moment of truth —the raising of the majstång (greened pole) to its upright position by use of klykor (lashed, crossed poles) in a centuries-old manner, aided by encouraging shouts from all the onlookers.
For Skandia, this is also a time where dancers perform on the grass each time the klykor need to be repositioned for the next lift.
Dancing During the Pole Raising
Here's your opportunity to practice your, "Oh, hej!" as you watch the pole go up.
Ringlekar and långdans
Everyone who can run is invited to join the traditional ringlekar (game dances) and the serpentine långdans (long-dance) around the raised majstång—all to appropriate live music, of course.
Learn the words and how to do the ringlekar (game dances) here. Most years, there's only time to do Små Grodorna and Vi Äro Musikanter. However, Prästens Lilla Kråka and Jungfru, Jungfru are very traditional also.
Then, for extra fun, dance them along with Bart and guests in 2018. Små Grodorna starts about 5 minutes into Pole Raising 2018 Part 2. Vi Äro Musikanter is available here.
Finish this part of the celebration by doing a långdans (long-dance) with guests from 2017--perhaps around your house, yard, or ____.
Långdans
Allspel & Participatory Dance
The ceremony ends with an allspel (everybody plays) where the musicians assemble on the main stage to play for participatory dancing.
During the participatory dancing, there will definitely be more than one schottis and more than one hambo. Haven't had a chance to learn them yet? Check out these teaching videos.
Have you heard of Tokyo Polka? It doesn't require a partner and can easily be danced at home. Roo Lester provides instruction thanks to the Folk Arts Center of New England for making it possible to share this teaching video.
Learn Schottis
Harry Khamis & Pat Pi
Learn Hambo
Harry Khamis & Pat Pi
Costumes
Skandia’s Midsommarfest has a long tradition of showcasing costumes from the Nordic countries. Viewing costumes can be a visual feast from head to toe, as many Nordic skills are displayed, such as lace making, fabric weaving, embroidery, band-weaving, metalsmithing, and leather work. Impressive skills and creativity are shown on head coverings, shirts, vests, jewelry, skirts, aprons, belts, bands, socks and shoes. Learn more on a special Costumes page this year.
Food/Recipes
Celebrating Midsommar includes special food, too. Check out recipes provided by SWEA and the Swedish Consulate in Seattle.
Just for Fun
Celebrating Midsommar is all about the FUN!
*The initiator, Skandia founder and director Gordon Ekvall Tracie, aimed to re-create a traditional Scandinavian celebration of the summer solstice in as authentic a manner as possible, complete with the ancient pole-raising ceremony and outdoor dancing, as practiced in Sweden for centuries. See Midsommarfest History. The only recent change to this event was the addition of Placing the Last Rose on the crossbar.
Q U I C K L I N K S
If you'd like to support Skandia's efforts to further Nordic cultural traditions, music & dance, here's how =>