Red days

Midsummer Day

Midsummer Day and Midsummer Eve fall between June 20-26. It can be argued that this holiday today is one of the most important in Sweden, next to Christmas. Unlike Christmas, Midsummer is usually celebrated with acquaintances rather than just the family. Friends and friends of friends. The celebration originates from John the Baptist's birthday, June 24. The midsummer pole, or maypole, is one of the most important symbols of the holiday. It was used by deacons (students) during the 1600-1700s who moved around in cities, villages and sang / begged. It is believed that the midsummer pole comes from Germany. The word "maypole" does not originate from the month of May, but from the fact that the "maypole" was cut; thus it was covered with leaves. The symbolism of the Midsummer pole is not really definite. Some believe it is a phallus symbol, while some believe it is a depiction of the Christian cross. Around the bar, people dance and sing classic midsummer songs such as "The Little Frogs". Historically, midsummer night is associated with magic. Plants are said to have a certain magical attribute during this evening, after which it is extra good to collect medicinal plants this evening. Rituals associated with midsummer include putting seven kinds of flowers under the pillow, after which you should dream about the one you are going to marry, or that the magic of the flowers is saved after you make a wreath. The magical mystique surrounding midsummer is believed to have something to do with the fact that midsummer night is usually especially bright and symbolizes the beginning of summer. 

Much of the food eaten at other holidays is also consumed during midsummer. However, there is much more fresh food available. Fresh potatoes, strawberries, herbs and fish and more. Something that also belongs is stored cheese, butter, crispbread and at the right time nubbe. A classic dish eaten at the midsummer celebration is herring, new potatoes and sour cream. Midsummer is the holiday when most people gather in the same place from different circles of friends, who are all there to participate in a big party. Midsummer celebrations in Sweden have also become an internationally known phenomenon and are something that many outsiders in the country not least associate with Sweden but also travel to Sweden to experience.

Christmas day

On Christmas Day, December 25, the birth of Jesus is historically celebrated. Christmas Day has strong roots in Christianity and it is still common to have a church service in the morning on Christmas Day. In some churches it is also celebrated with a mass at midnight on the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

The feelings one has traditionally tried to convey on Christmas day have been about peace, quiet and rest. It has been the holiest of the Christmas days and a day when play and socializing outside the close circle could be avoided. 

Nowadays, however, we often see that Christmas Day is associated with friends who meet and in many cases celebrate. For example, students who have moved away from home usually have a homecoming night on Christmas Day, when they meet and celebrate together. This is an opportunity for many to meet acquaintances and friends with whom they have lost contact to see how they are doing. 

On Christmas day, there is usually still Christmas food to eat. Christmas ham, Jansson's temptation, prince sausage, pickled salmon, beetroot salad and more. 

 

Second day of Christmas

The second day of Christmas falls on December 26, the day after Christmas Day. This is the last holiday of the Christmas weekend. Christmas Eve is celebrated after St. Stephen, who is considered the first Christian martyr, or so-called. "The Protomartyr". In Swedish, Stefanus goes as Staffan. The staff was a deacon on duty and was responsible for food distribution and other practical chores. According to history, St. Stephen was stoned to death because he had told his master and King Herod about a vision in which he saw signs of the birth of Jesus. Stephen got his vision when he watered the king's horses, after which he came to be seen as the horses' patron saint. There are several Staffansvisor and "Staffan was a stable boy" which historically belongs to the second day of Christmas is now usually sung on Lucia. In modern history, the celebration of the second day of Christmas has to a greater extent not had the story of Saint Stephen conscious in mind.