Tags
Battery Park, Lower Manhattan, Manhattan, Midsommar, Midsommar NYC, Midsummer, Midsummer NYC 2013, new york, NYC, photography, video
[Click on any picture to enlarge]
If you happen to be in New York City when this celebration takes place (summer solstice), I highly encourage you to go.
In our context here, Midsummer refers to the summer solstice, and the day in the year which has the longest period of daylight. It also refers to the European celebration, especially in Scandinavia.
In Sweden, it is a pretty important celebration, one of the most important of the year. Since the summer days are few and the darker days are many, the arrival of summer is reason to party: family and friends meet to celebrate with food, beer and dancing.
A maypole decorated with flowers and wreaths is usually made and raised and people dance around it.
They also make flower head wreaths that they wear.
The atmosphere is very festive and friendly.
I have never had the opportunity to go to Sweden and see such a celebration, but thanks to my mother who learned Swedish, I learned about this tradition. I also had the opportunity to participate in such a ceremony at the Institut suédois in Paris and really enjoyed it. I loved the festive atmosphere and how people were simply having fun!
Last year, I heard about the celebration in NYC but renounced going at the last minute because of the weather (mostly rainy). This year – last week – I attended (although only in part as I was joining my husband and a friend at a restaurant nearby in the early evening).
In NYC, the celebration takes place every year at Battery Park City, in Lower Manhattan.
This year, an estimated 6,000 people attended.
I was very glad to have decided to join this celebration. It was a very hot and humid summer day and my only regret is that I didn’t get a chance to try the food, or to take pictures of it. Everything looked very good. No beer was allowed though, since alcohol is forbidden in NYC Parks.
Below are two videos that I filmed with my small camcorder: the first one before it began, the second one of the celebration beginning with the bringing of the pole, the songs and dances. The second one is a bit long but you skip can through and jump to some of the songs.
Thank you very much to my Mom, Janina, for giving me the name of the songs and their translation.
Additional links:
– Page of the Consulate General of Sweden in New York
– Photos from the Consulate’s Flickr page
– Midsummer (Sweden.se – The Official gateway to Sweden)
– Midsummer (VisitSweden.com)
janinka1 said:
What a wonderful report, Carine!!! You made us live Swedish Midsummer in New York, something extraordinary!! It’s so moving to see that patriotic traditions are celebrated abroad! Congratulations to the Consulate General of Sweden in New York, and especially congratulations to you ! I am eager to share your post with my Swedish friends.
Thank you so much! Tack så mycket! :-)
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Carine said:
Thank you :-)
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mariadesuede said:
Oj då, Tack för ett trevligt reportage!
Oh, Thanks for a nice reportage!
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Carine said:
You’re welcome! Glad you liked it!
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Dave said:
What a nice post, Carine, both your pictures and your story.
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Carine said:
Thank you so much!
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itsallaboutpurple said:
oh it looks so pretty and colorful!! i so enjoy festivals like these but really struggle with the heat. fall and spring outdoor festivities are better for me!!
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Carine said:
It was really hot and humid but it was worth it :-)
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Choc Chip Uru said:
I love the photos my friend, so celebratory :D
Cheers
CCU
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Carine said:
Thanks! It really was :-)
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ChgoJohn said:
Such a nice celebrations, Carine. It’s huge and so well-attended. Looks like fun. My old neighborhood, Andersonville, was originally a Swedish community and is now host to our Mid-Summer Festival. Although much smaller than yours, it’s still a good time.
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Carine said:
Smallest celebrations are nice too and are more intimate :-)
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RMW said:
I love sunflowers, lovely idea to wrap them around the maypole.
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Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder) said:
G’day! Looks to be a lovely festival indeed, true!
Never knew about it and born and bred in new York too!
Cheers! Joanne
Now on FB too http://www.facebook.com/whatsonthelist
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Carine said:
I love that there is always something new to discover in New York :-)
Have a great end of the week!
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Travel Spirit said:
Beautiful and fun!
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Carine said:
It really was! Thanks!
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houseofbedlam said:
I have never heard of this – it looks like such fun – will definitely attempt to take the kids to this next year! thanks for sharing the great photos!
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Carine said:
It is worth seeing if you are in the area :-)
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