Sommar, sommar, sommar

summer ... the season between spring and autumn. In the northern hemisphere usually the months of June, July, and August. In Sweden a magic time.  

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  View of Nybroviken and Strandvägen in central Stockholm.

• Summer is here and we soon begin a slower pace at Nordstjernan; slow in the sense that we print less but also prepare for an exciting second half of the year. Midsummer (this year on June 25) is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden, and probably the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated.

• In the past, Midsummer dew cured diseases, and when you put it in dough, the bread came out full and nice. We don’t bake bread with Midsummer dew anymore, but young girls might still put seven flowers under their pillows in hopes of dreaming about the man they’ll marry. Flowers are important, not just for the Maypole (midsommarstång or majstång in Swedish), they’re everywhere.

• Swedish Midsummer is something all Swedes look forward to, and a tradition that non-Swedes can fall in love with easily as well. In short, a piece of culture to be proud of. Whether you plan to travel or spend time at home, wishing you a wonderful begin of the summer!

• Stay safe, be well
  Staff of Nordstjernan