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On Friday, June 19, children and adults will gather for the annual Swedish Midsummer Festival in Battery Park City to decorate the midsummer pole, learn traditional games, make flower wreaths, dance to fiddle music and take part in this unique celebration!
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., attendees can enjoy a traditional music performance by Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute of Minneapolis, along with folk dances from Barnklubben Elsa Rix and Swedish Folk Dancers of New York. There will also be pole dancing performances led by Scandinavian folkorist and singer, Ross Sutter. Some of New York’s finest Swedish restaurants will be hosting food stands including FIKA, The Shop at Scandinavia House, Russ & Daughters, Nordic Preserves, Sockerbit Sweet and Swedish, Red Rooster and Gigino’s.
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In Sweden, this is one of the most important celebrations of the year. Since the summer days are very few, the arrival of summer is a reason to celebrate. Beginning in the 1500s, midsummer festivities were held by the Swedes; then in 6th century AD, midsummer bonfires began to be lit all over Europe. It wasn’t until the 1900s that this celebration became the most Swedish of all traditional festivities. Midsummer Night is the lightest day of the year, as well as being considered a magical night to tell of people’s futures.
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The maypole is the most ritual symbol of Midsummer. It is raised in an open area where a traditional ring-dance derives around it, which spectators at the event will be able to participate in. People attending are also welcome to wear their fanciest Swedish attire.
This event is a part of the #SwedenInThePark concept, which is a sequence of outdoor events advertising and promoting Swedish culture. It is presented by Battery Park City Parks Conservancy and co-hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden in New York. For the most up-to-date information, please visit swedenabroad.com/washington
-by Kelsey Maloney