The oldest and most traditional Swedish holiday, symbolizing joy, life and the power of the sun.
Edited by Anna Popper
Midsummer, one of Sweden’s most traditional and cherished holidays, has its roots in ancient pagan traditions. It widely celebrates the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year. This turning point marks the gradual shortening of days and invites people to make the most of the bright, extended daylight.
In true Swedish tradition, the joyous celebration of Midsummer, filled with life, love, fun, flowers, food, drink and music, is a holiday deeply ingrained in Swedish culture. The festivities also emphasize the importance of community and connection with nature, reflecting Sweden’s cultural heritage and its people’s deep bond with the natural world.
The Swedish Embassy in Budapest, under the auspices of Her Excellency Diana Helen Madunic, Ambassador of Sweden to Hungary, hosted a spectacular Midsummer event on 11 June 2024 in the Residence garden, captivating hundreds of invitees and the Guest of Honour, Mr János Bóka, Minister responsible for EU Affairs of Hungary.
After the National Day of Sweden, observed annually on 6 June, the choice of 11 June 2024 for this joyful event, although slightly earlier than the traditional Midsummer time, did not dampen the festive atmosphere in the huge garden, which was decorated with Swedish colours and symbolic elements and exhibited the world-famous products of Swedish industry.
The celebration drew partners from political, economic, cultural and academic spheres, members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Sweden and Swedish nationals living in Hungary. Attendees from various walks of life came together to enjoy an evening brimming with fun and happiness, truly reflecting the spirit of Swedish way of Midsummer. It was also a testament to Sweden’s consistent high ranking in the World Happiness Report, where it secured fourth place in 2024.
The grand celebration commenced with the opening address of Ambassador Diana Helen Madunic:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Midsummer is a joyous celebration marking the solstice, a time when summer dreams come alive with bright sunny days, warm relaxing weather and the rejuvenation of nature. It is a special occasion for families and friends to gather, enjoy herring, drink snaps, wine or palinka, and dance like little frogs around the midsummer pole – but don’t ask us to explain how those little frogs got there!
The bright midsummer night, when the sun never sets, symbolizes both the magic and the vulnerability of nature. It reminds us of our responsibility to protect the environment and work towards a sustainable future through the collective efforts of governments, companies and citizens. Together, we have the time and the duty to reverse negative trends.
Summer is also a time to relax, although many of us will have a shorter holiday this year. Starting 1 July, Hungary takes over the EU Council Presidency. We trust that the Hungarian Presidency will act as an honest broker in facing common challenges such as the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the competitiveness of our economy and the enlargement of the EU. We wish the Hungarian Presidency and Minister Bóka the best of luck in their efforts for our common good.
I would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank the Hungarian people for supporting our membership in NATO. Now Sweden and Finland are in NATO! Sweden and Hungary share excellent defence cooperation, exemplified by the purchase of additional Gripen fighter jets.
In conclusion, I would like express my gratitude and underline that this event would not have been possible without the excellent cooperation of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and the generous support of Swedish companies operating here such as Saab, ABB, Volvo Car Hungary, Volvo Trucks Hungary, IKEA, Electrolux, Intrum, Nefab Packaging Hungary, Securitas Hungary, Sigma Technology Group, Skanska Hungary, and SOLLIS PergolaPark. Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight. We will definitely not forget this evening!”
In his speech, Minister János Bóka, responsible for EU affairs in the Hungarian government, greeted the audience and thanked the Swedish Ambassador for the invitation to this joyful event held by Sweden, an EU member state and NATO ally. He also expressed his gratitude for the excellent cooperation with Sweden and for sharing experiences, which was very useful in the preparations for the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council. He outlined the major priorities of the Hungarian Presidency in the second half of 2024, focusing on enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, reinforcing the European self-defence policy, pursuing the enlargement policy in the Western and Eastern Balkans, tackling the challenges of illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, a farmer-centred EU agricultural policy, and addressing demographic challenges.
Minister Bóka concluded by referring to an old tradition of Midsummer Night, also called St. John’s Eve, which serves as a perfect metaphor for the Hungarian EU Presidency. In Hungary and its broader region on Midsummer Day, 24 June (the birthday of Saint John the Baptist), a fascinating ancient tradition unfolds: people light bonfires and leap over them three times to bring themselves luck, while skilfully avoiding getting burned. This tradition beautifully illustrates the delicate balance and dexterity required to navigate challenges successfully without harm.
The essence of Midsummer, symbolizing, life, joy and the power of the sun, was beautifully captured through traditional elements such as summer wreaths of vibrant blue and yellow flowers worn by the ladies, lively music and the spirited frog dance.
The festive tables of the reception were adorned in Swedish style and offered the best culinary delights of the Nordic country, including fresh strawberries, herring, salmon, and new potatoes, creating an authentic Swedish atmosphere that everyone enjoyed.
Carling Family Jazz Band Show from Sweden
Throughout the entire event, guests were entertained by the exceptional jazz musicianship and captivating performance and shoe of the Carling Family Jazz Band. Hailing from Sweden, this multi-generational band led by talented multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling had specially travelled to grace this occasion with their musical prowess.
Gunhild Carling, a Swedish music sensation and internationally acclaimed superstar, dazzled the audience with her extraordinary talent. Whether she was singing, playing one of 11 instruments (including trumpet, trombone, harmonica, oboe, harp, flute, recorder, and jazz bagpipe), or juggling and tap dancing, Gunhild’s sublime showmanship was on full display. Of particular note, she mesmerized the crowd by playing three trumpets simultaneously – an impressive feat that highlighted her unparalleled musical skills. This amazing music show was made possible through the generous support of the event’s partners.
Attending this Midsummer festivity was a delightful experience that evoked thoughts of Shakespeare’s timeless play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The enchanting atmosphere of the Swedish celebration beautifully captured the essence of midsummer’s mysticism and wonder, echoing the magical elements of this classic piece. It served as a reminder that during this time of year, amidst the dancing light and lively festivities, anything magical can happen and dreams can indeed come true. On behalf of the Diplomatic Press Agency, thank you very much for the kind invitation to be part of the celebration.
Source: Embassy of Sweden in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Sweden, and DPA
