June 21: Midsummer's Eve

It is a wonderful event for visitors to participate in: The celebration of the Summer solstice, and the longest day of the year - on June 21. Midsummer's Eve in Scandinavia is truly unforgettable, and each Scandinavian country has found a way to celebrate this time of year in their own, unique style:

For example, Sweden celebrates Midsummer's Eve even as a national holiday - but did you know that Midsummer was originally a fertility festival with nature rituals, in the hope for a good harvest in fall?

Among Danes, this event is known as Sankt Hans aften, or St. John's Eve, and is officially celebrated on the eve of June 23rd. Danes sing on this day the traditional Vi elsker vort land, "We Love Our Land", and burn a witch made of straw on the bonfire as a remembrance of the Church's witchburnings of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Scandinavian customs date back to pagan times when tribute was paid to the powers of the sun god with bonfires signifying the defeat of darkness. The Norwegians also form processions early in the evening, usually led by a musician...read more about the local traditions in each country in Midsummer's Eve in Scandinavia.