As far as I am aware, no other country celebrates the summer solstice like the Swedes. The day grants everyone, young and old, male and female, a licence to drink as much snaps as you can possibly handle. It is a couple of weeks left until the Swedish Midsummers Eve takes place. It is of course a celebration of the summer solstice but with Swedish traditions we always celebrate it on the Friday of that week. Perhaps to make sure as little damage as possible is caused to the midweek workforce with headaches and hangovers. This year it falls on the 22nd June, one day after the longest and lightest day of the year.

Yes, I am Swedish. 100%. I came over hear as a curious teenager in 1989 and I am still here. That was never really my plan but time went on. After a few years of casual work and lots of partying, I studied for a year and then went on to climb the career-ladder in the west end of London and after years of hard work and hard play I found my soulmate and left the busy London-life for Devon-bliss. Now married with two kids, writing blogs, cook, clean, shop and couldn’t be happier!

The Swedish midsummer celebration is all about summer and flowers. That is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about it. As a little girl I got a new pretty dress that mum had made. The ideal would be a flowery fabric and puff-sleeves. In the morning of the day mum made flower-dressed tiaras of blue cornflowers, daisies and sometimes a few pink roses stuck in. Then we packed a picnic and went off to the local celebration and danced the day away around the birch-leaves and flower-dressed midsummer-pole.

In my teenage years it was still a day of summer and flowers… and lots of beers. Dressed in light fabrics but not necessarily a dress we all ended up by the beach where we walked, beer in hand, carefree and happy and very tipsy along the boulevard at Skrea beach from north to south and back again until the early hours of the morning.

Growing up a bit more the theme continues with added benefits and accessories. This time it starts off with herring followed by strawberries, beers and lots of snaps of Swedish or Danish origin. No snaps is allowed to be drunk without a short sing-song. Very important. And after several strong shots and songs we normally end up playing rounders or other team-building games until it is back to the party for top-ups. Now we are on to ‘groggs’, the official title of the drink served in a tall slim glass filled with a strong shot… or two… or three built on ice and topped up with a soft fizz or juice. There is your Swedish for a vodka & O.J.
In the early days the tradition of Midsummer Eve says that you should jump over seven fences in the countryside at midnight, pick one different wild flower in each field, put them under your pillow when you go to bed and your future husband will appear in your dream.

So why do you need a dress? Well, no matter how old I get the summer and flower theme still stands and there is something about midsummer that make you want to be all girlie and pretty (well, as pretty as can get with visible veins on my legs, a bit of extra flesh around my middle-section and a few wrinkles under my eyes). I suppose, I want to do all the adult traditions (in moderation) but still get a feeling of and re-live some of the incredibly happy memories from my childhood. So we need a dress. A pretty and girlie and summery adult version.

Where to look? Click on the Avoca page. Any of these dresses will be perfect. Go to Sandwich and check out the black print wrap-version, French Connection’s navy smock with little flowers and a cut-out back detail, the Jackpot flowery dress, the print silk dress from Farhi or the complete outfit of jacket, waistcoat and skirt from Out of Xile (not quite a dress but perfect for the occasion).

Get some cornflowers and daisies for your hair, a bottle of strong liquid, find a bunch of nordic people to hang out with and you will be all set for a true Swedish summer solstice celebration!

Written by Malin Hosie