The Swedish midsummer has medieval roots Maybe you’ve heard of the Swedish celebration of Midsummer, or midsommar as we call it. Swedes often joke about it being our unofficial national day. Midsummer celebrations have an old history in Sweden. It was first documented in the year 1555. At the time, Swedes celebrated Midsummer by dancing […]
Alma spent most of her adult life in Manchester, New Hampshire. She died in 1932 and as far as I can tell she led a quite ordinary life and that’s what makes her interesting.
Scandinavia Did you know that Scandinavia only is three countries? Well, it depends on who you ask. But Norway, Denmark and Sweden make up Scandinavia. At least if you’re asking anyone from those countries. That’s the definition of Scandinavia in Scandinavia, so to speak. In the English speaking world, Scandinavia is often used for a […]
Today is the last day of Christmas in Sweden. January 13 is Twentieth Day Knut, when the Christmas tree is thrown out, the decorations are put away and the gingerbread house gets eaten. One last chance to come together and dance around the tree. The celebration is named by the plundering of the tree, julgransplundring. […]
Christmas Day in Sweden starts with julotta, an early Christmas service. Sometimes as early as 4 am. Here is Anders Magnus Andersson from Dalaryd, 65, on his way to julotta in Svinhult Parish, Östergötland County, in 1915.
Merry Christmas! The Swedish-Norwegian flag and a cup of coffee at the turn of the century. A doll and a book for the girl. Christmas Eve is when gifts are exchanged in Sweden.
Decorating the Christmas tree with garlands and style. This Swedish couple is likely to be Hjalmar Flodstrand in Munkedal and his wife. From Foss Parish, Gothenburg and Bohus County around 1910.
Glad Lucia! Swedes celebrate Saint Lucy’s Day on December 13. With candles in their hair, songs, and saffron buns. One of these women was Hulda Sundberg. They were photographed in 1914 by Ingeborg Enander, who had a studio in Stenungsund, Gothenburg and Bohus County.
A Swedish Christmas card from 1906 with a line from the still popular song “Now it’s Christmas again.” Chain dances have been a part of Christmas celebrations since at least the 17th century.
