Posts tagged with "Midsummer"

The Little Frogs – in Swedish

Posted by Marcus Cederström 2 Comments
Jul 29 2011

I’m in Denmark attempting to learn Danish (if you’re trying to learn Danish, check out the Transparent Danish blog and Transparent Danish on Facebook). And while my Danish is coming along, I’ve also had the opportunity to spread a little Swedish culture while I’m here.

Of course, there has been the ever popular exchange of foreign swear words (Swedes, just like most Scandinavians, tend to invoke hell and the devil when they are swearing), the ever-popular exchange of foreign alcohol, and the somewhat less popular folksong and dance.

I, of course, opted to share some traditional songs. Because what better way to promote a language than by butchering a traditional song with my lack of singing talent? Since Sweden just celebrated Midsummer about a month ago, I thought Små Grodorna was appropriate.  The Little Frogs is a song sung every Midsummer in probably around every maypole in every town in Sweden.  It’s a classic.

So this post might be a little late. Or early. That’s because Swedes also dance to this song at Christmas time.  Replace the maypole with a Christmas tree and the long days with long nights and you’ve got the perfect opportunity to hop around like a little frog while singing.

The text is below for those of you who want to give the song a shot:

Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.
Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.
Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.
Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

I’ve included an English translation that you can find on Wikipedia here:

The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.
No ears, no ears no tails do they possess.
No ears, no ears no tails do they possess.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

And if you’re really feeling inspired, check out the YouTube clip showing the dance moves you’ll have to master before your next Midsummer or Swedish Christmas. The lyrics are a bit hard to hear, but if you follow along with the text you should be fine. Note though that as they switch directions, they break into a different verse singing about the little pigs.  Enjoy:YouTube Preview Image

Midsummer and holiday season in Sweden

Posted by jennie 3 Comments
Jun 28 2011

Long time no see, dear blog readers. I’ve been on my longest holiday ever, doing it in proper Swedish four-weeks- in-a-row-stylee and it has been absolutely amazing. Visited Sweden for two of those, got married by the sea in Bohuslän (yes!) celebrated Midsummer’s eve (Midsommarafton) on a windy field in Skåne (Click here for my guide to a proper Swedish Midsummer!) and enjoyed the typical Swedish June weather; Sunshine, rain, sunshine agan, more rain. Freezing cold one day, extreme heat the other… 

Sweden has officially entered holiday season and as Katja pointed out here, society in Sweden slows down slightly during July. Lots of people go on holiday (semester) after Midsummer but since most companies and co-operations no longer can afford to shut down the business, this mean lots of opportunities for temp working and extra job (sommarjobb = summer job). And of course; summer = tourists = more business = more staff. In other words, holiday season for some mean working season for some. Lots of young people spend their summer holiday from school working and the most common jobs amongst youths are berry picking, strawberry selling, helping out in shops and coffee shops, garden and park staff and taking care of elderly people. 

Anyway, the Swedish blog will not go on holiday, we’ll do our very best to keep your Swedish needs fulfilled, so please let us know if you have any blog topic requests. More grammar? Summery pics of Stockholm? A guide on how to camp in Sweden? We aim to please!

And by the way, did you celebrate Midsummer? Where?  How? Please share your Midsummer memories with us!

Midsummer’s Eve: The essentials

Posted by jennie 7 Comments
Jun 25 2010

Midsummer’s Eve is finally here and all over Sweden this big occasion is celebrated in various ways. But there are a few essentials you’ll need to make the celebration complete.

The decorations (dekorationerna):

A handmade daisy chain (blomsterkrans) is today’s signature piece, all kids and women (mostly) wear them. They are easily (ehm, kind of…) made with a piece of wire, some green branches and flowers of your choice. Some use nothing but flowers, I would probably use birch as filler. It’s easier and takes less time that way. Birch is also used to decorate doorframes, balconies and tables, along with flowers, tonnes of flowers!

 
 

 

The clothes (kläderna):
Traditionally, this is the day to wear you national costume if you by any chance would have one. In the province of Dalarna, this tradition still lives on but it’s a bit more difficult to spot a national costume in the rest of the country. A raincoat over a summer outfit seem to be more common, since this day normally is quite bad weather-wise. But today’s rapports from Sweden luckily says sunshine, I honestly can’t remember the last time I experienced a sunny Midsummer’s Eve. On the other hand; I have always spent them on the west coast. It tends to be better up north.

The food (maten):
The good old smorgasbord with herring, new potatoes, meatballs, sausages, salmon and a bit more herring is normally eaten for lunch. Strawberries and cream is also a must, along with a barbeque in the evening.

The drinks (dryckerna):
Midsummer’s Eve is one of Sweden’s biggest drinking nights and it’s not unusual for Systembolaget to run out of booze these days. The queues are massive the days before and people mostly buy beer and Aquavit of different flavours. Elderflower, dill, juniper, cumin and anis are some of the taste sensations you might get in your shotglas today and of course, no drinking without a drinking song.

The entertainment (underhållningen):
The traditional dancing around the midsummer pole normally takes place around 3pm. In most places, the council organize big gatherings in public spaces with pole dancing (no, not THAT kind…), raffles, games and entertainment, often traditional folk dance. People with big gardens might make their own midsummer pole (smaller scale) and the design of the poles varies across the country.

There are thousands of videos on Youtube showing Swedes swinging around the pole andpathetic as I am, I started sobbing when browsing through these! I am homesick today and I bet many fellow expat Swedes feel the same. Here is one of the lot, thought I might show you something different than the crown point  “Små Grodorna” (The little frogs) but just jump to the end if you fancy seeing some Swedes imitate frogs.

YouTube Preview Image

The end (slutet):
If you are not too dizzy after all the Aquavit and the running around the pole, you should end Midsummer’s Eve by picking seven different kinds of wild flowers and put under your pillow. The person who you will marry in the future will then appear in your dreams…

Sweet dreams and a lovely Midsummer’s Eve to everyone! Mine will contain herring from IKEA, flowers from Tesco, a homemade, weird looking mini midsummer pole and a great bunch of Bristolian Swedes. Not too bad, after all.

Photo credit: Bo Lind and Fredrik Sweger/Sweden.se

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Posted by jennie 4 Comments
Jun 24 2010

Picture the following scenario:

Who: You and a whole bunch of friends
Where: In someone’s big summerhouse on an island in the Swedish archipelago
When: Midsummer’s eve

It’s bright and early on Midsummer’s Eve. You are woken up by the sun who gently strokes you with its warmth. Or perhaps it was the little bird singing away outside your window who made you open your eyes? Outside: A clear blue sky and a calm sea. The little breeze keeps the temperature nice and comfortable. One by one, your friends are slowly waking up and everyone gathers around the big rustic table outside for a lovely al fresco breakfast. During breakfast, you divide the chores between you. Someone is picking flowers, others are making a Midsummer pole. Some are in charge of the lunch, the rest are taking the boat into town to by some more supplies. When all is done, you gather once again around the big rustic table to enjoy the lovely strawberry cake that someone spontaneously decided to make. Afterwards, it’s time for a swim in the lovely blue sea. Perhaps you bring a few bottles of ice cold beer down to the jetty and sit there for a couple of hours. There’s no rush, no stress. When the beers are finished and your bodies are slightly tanned, you all wander back the house to dance around the pole, sing silly songs and drink more beer. Someone has already set the table, and when the dancing and the singing is over, you once again gather around the big rustic table, this time it’s packed with new potatoes, herring, salads, meatballs, aquavit and other delicacies. You eat and drink for hours, sing more songs and eat a bit more while the sun is setting over your little island. The longest evening of the year ends with skinny dipping in the warm sea before you all go to bed just before the sun rises once again over your little island.

This is how the Swedes picture themselves celebrating Midsummer’s Eve every year. Midsummer = sunshine, sea, friends, herring and a little more sunshine. And when we finally realize that the island dream won’t happen this year either, this is how we  imagine that EVERYONE ELSE are celebrating Midsummer. Midsummer’s Eve in Sweden is filled with more expectations than New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve put together and if you, god forbid, don’t have an island, a summerhouse or a boat, well then you have to settle for less and have a party anyway. And no matter if you are on the island or in the city, a typical Swedish midsummer normally contains a huge amount of rain and crap weather in general, someone who gets way too drunk on aquavit (because herring isn’t the most substantial food in the world), a few arguments and massive hangover. Fun, nevertheless. But not so much the big midsummer night’s dream.

This on  the other hand, is how the Germans imagine a Swedish typical Midsummer’s Eve (a warning to sligthly sensitive readers, though!). This is a – believe it or not – a commercial for IKEA, but it was banned in the end. Can’t for my life understand why!

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Midsommar Book Contest!

Posted by Transparent Language 22 Comments
Jun 18 2009

It’s almost summer! I am saying “almost”, because we all know that the summer season officially starts with midsommar. And speaking of midsommar – what are your plans?
I will spend the occasion in Vancouver, actually, I’m on my way there right now – I’m sitting at the airport while typing this.

But, it’s not airports I wanted to talk about today.

To celebrate the beginning of summer, I have something special planned for you.

I don’t know about you, but for me it just wouldn’t be summer without a dorky summer pop hit, beach and summer reading. You just can’t have a summer break and NOT read a funny, lighthearted book. Do you agree?

And I remember how some of you complained about how hard it is to get Swedish books abroad.

So, I’m going to help you out a bit with this book problem! To celebrate the beginning of summer, I thought a little something special was in order.

And tah-dah! We have our first annual Swedish Blog midsommar book contest.
The book you can win is “Populärmusik från Vittula” by Mikael Niemi. Which just happens to be one of my most favorite books, ever.

It was the winner of the August Prize for the best Swedish novel of 2000 (vinnare av Augustpriset som bästa svenska roman 2000). So, you can say it’s almost a classic.

I picked this book not because I have an extra copy sitting around (thought that’s true, too) but because of its location – a lovely little town called Pajala in the north of Sweden. And you know how much I love the far north! The rest of Sweden is really, well, the rest, if you live in the north.

This book has been translated into English, so if you want to read along with an English version, that’s possible, too. That’s another reason why I decided to give away this particular book, and not another. I want to make this Swedish reading experience as fun for you as possible, so even if you’re not confident you can manage all the way through in Swedish, you can follow along in English when you get tired.

OK, enough of me talking.
Do you want to win it?
All you need to do is to tell me in the comments section, på svenska, in 15 words or less, why I should send this book to you (and not to someone else). The deadline – June 30th.

Easy? Very!
Just remember when you leave your comment to enter a valid email address, it won’t be seen by other blog readers, but it’s visible on my end, and this is the email address, I will use to contact you, OK? Don’t leave your mailing address in the comment – I will ask you for it when my distinguished panel of judges (consisting of me, myself and I) selects the winner.

Oh, and one more thing – the contest is open only to subscribed readers of this blog (to subscribe click in the box to the right – it means that you will be getting new Swedish Blog posts by email) from countries other than Sweden. I know, I know, it doesn’t seem fair. But you guys in Sweden can just saunter down to your local library and read all summer long.

Trevlig midsommar!!!

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