(21 Jun 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stockholm, Sweden - 20 June 2025
1. Mid of performers marching toward maypole
2. Attendees sitting on grass
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Natasha Eriksson, 38, a Swedish citizen:
“I think midsummer is a celebration for the Swedes, especially not only drinking and being together as a family, but also celebrating the light during the year, because it’s usually dark. And this is the lightest day of the year."
4. Performers singing and dancing
5. Wide of performers marching around maypole
6. Close of maypole
7. Various of people performing a frog dance
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Natasha Eriksson,38, a Swedish citizen:
“I think I usually say dancing around the pole, instead of Christmas trees. We dance like, with the song called 'The Frogs', so usually foreign people think that we are really weird, because we are really calm people. But that’s like the biggest thing, I think, that we sing and celebrate the mid-year.”
9. Wide of people dancing
STORYLINE:
Every June, Swedes across the country prepare for one of the most cherished events of the year.
Midsummer’s Eve is closely tied to the summer solstice and is a celebration of light, nature and tradition.
In Stockholm, the Skansen open-air museum stages one of the most iconic Midsummer gatherings.
Performers lead the way, dressed in folk costumes, bringing the crowd together at the foot of the maypole - a centrepiece of the celebration.
Decorated with wildflowers, the maypole symbolises fertility and renewal.
The tradition echoes ancient pagan customs. Around it, generations gather to dance, sing and welcome the light-filled season.
For many, Midsummer is about reconnecting.
Often at summer homes in the countryside, or during city festivities like this.
Natasha Eriksson, 38 and a Swedish citizen, says: “I think midsummer is a celebration for the Swedes, especially not only drinking and being together as a family, but also celebrating the light during the year, because it’s usually dark. And this is the lightest day of the year. Yeah, so I would say that would be it.”
Families and friends lay out traditional picnics.
Pickled herring, new potatoes with sour cream and dill are staples of the Midsummer table, also found at Christmas and other major holidays.
Eriksson continues: “I think I usually say dancing around the pole, instead of Christmas trees. We dance like, with the song called 'The Frogs', so usually foreign people think that we are really weird, because we are really calm people. But that’s like the biggest thing, I think, that we sing and celebrate the mid-year.”
It may look eccentric, but the frog dance is a national treasure here.
Participants of all ages hop in circles, acting out a song about frogs without ears or tails.
But beyond the quirks, Midsummer is about joy and togetherness.
As wreaths are woven from wildflowers, old traditions take on new life.
Whether in a city square or on a grassy hill in ... [truncated]
--
Support podtube.me continuity as a free service. Become a Patreon or make an one-time donation
--
Video at Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ecXY_EtCo