Edited by Anna Popper
Midsummer, one of Sweden’s most treasured and deeply rooted traditions, traces its origins to ancient pagan celebrations marking the summer solstice – the longest day and shortest night of the year. This special moment in the Nordic calendar symbolizes the peak of summer, inspiring people to embrace and enjoy the season’s extended daylight to the fullest.
As a celebration of life, nature, love, friendship and community, Midsummer holds a unique place in Swedish culture. With flowers, music, dance, traditional foods and festive gatherings, it reflects the enduring bond Swedes have with nature. More than a holiday, it is an expression of cultural identity and a cherished occasion that unites generations in a spirit of joy and togetherness.
On 6 June, Sweden marked its National Day, commemorating the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and the adoption of the 1809 Instrument of Government – two milestones in the country’s history.
This year again the Embassy of Sweden in Budapest hosted its annual Midsummer reception on 17 June to honour Swedish traditions, the beginning of the long-awaited summer, and the strong and multifaceted ties between Sweden and Hungary.
The extensive garden of the Ambassador’s Residence was transformed into a festive setting, beautifully decorated in Sweden’s national colours and adorned with traditional Midsummer symbols. At the heart of the festivities stood the iconic midsommarstång, or Midsummer pole, richly decorated with flowers and greenery, evoking the idyllic landscapes of the Swedish countryside. The warm atmosphere, hospitality and genuine sense of joy perfectly embodied the spirit of Midsummer, Sweden’s most beloved traditional celebration.
The event brought together over 500 invitees from all walks of life. Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Márton Hajdú, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly, Mrs. Klára Breuer, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, numerous members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Hungary’s political, economic, cultural and academic communities, Swedish nationals, friends of this great Nordic country, and executives of Swedish companies operating in Hungary.
The grand celebration began with the welcoming remarks of Her Excellency Diana Madunic, Ambassador of Sweden to Hungary:
“Chairman Hajdú, Excellencies, Dear Friends,
a warm welcome to our Midsummer celebration in this beautiful, blossoming garden. Midsummer is one of Sweden’s most beloved holidays, celebrated with herrings, snaps, strawberries – and of course, dancing like little frogs around the Midsummer pole. Yes, you heard correctly! You may wonder why Swedes happily hop around like frogs at Midsummer. I blame my British and French colleagues: the song began with British soldiers mocking the French during the Napoleonic wars. We Swedes turned the song into a dance. Don’t ask me why.
We did consider inviting you all to join the frog dance, but with media present, we realized that photos of diplomats jumping like frogs might not be the headlines we want.
As for the British and French rivalry, perhaps that will play out on the football field this summer.
Speaking of football, Sweden is fortunate to have one of the world’s most promising strikers: Viktor Gyökeres. As his name suggests, Viktor has Hungarian roots. His grandfather was among the 8,000 Hungarians who found refuge in Sweden in 1956.
Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, it is worth remembering all the Hungarians who made Sweden their new home. Among them were artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and countless hardworking women and men who enriched Swedish society – with paprika and goulash – and helped build strong ties between our countries. For this, we remain deeply grateful to Hungary. The courage shown by Hungarians in 1956 – your commitment to freedom, democracy, equality, and a European future – earned admiration worldwide.
We are truly inspired to see that these values were reaffirmed by the Hungarian people in the elections on 12 April 2026. The spirit of 1956 continues to resonate in Hungary and, once again, earns admiration around the world. Speaking of the historic elections, Sweden wants to open a new chapter in our relations and be a committed partner, ally, and friend of Hungary.
That is why our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard visited Budapest already ten days ago – underscoring how much we value our new partnership!
Together, Sweden and Hungary can work side by side for a stronger European Union and a stronger NATO Alliance, united in the defence of all of Europe. Hungary’s impressive air policing in the Baltics is a powerful example of this.
And we have an excellent foundation to build on. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our Gripen programme. Next week, four additional Gripen fighter aircraft will be delivered to Hungary – a proud milestone in our relations.
Alongside the research and development cooperation established by Saab, this shows how we can jointly drive innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of our countries – and of Europe as a whole.
Before I conclude, the time has unfortunately come to thank our Defence Attaché, Stefan Fredriksson, and his wife, Gunilla – undoubtedly the better half – as they prepare to return home to the bright nights of Northern Sweden. I am deeply grateful for their contribution, and I wish them every success in the next chapter of their lives.
And finally, let me express my sincere gratitude to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and all the companies whose generous support made this evening possible: Absolut Vodka, AstraZeneca, Electrolux, Essity, IKEA, Joseki Solutions, Qantascope, SAAB, Securitas, Sigma, Skanska, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Trucks.
Dear guests, I wish you a wonderful evening – enjoy the food, the refreshments, the company, and the program! And who knows, maybe some of you might want to try a little frog dancing after all. Köszönöm szépen and skål to the Midsummer!”
The reception continued with an address by the Guest of Honour, Mr. Márton Hajdú, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly. Thanking the Ambassador for the invitation to the Midsummer celebration, he welcomed the strengthening partnership between Sweden and Hungary, and underlined the importance of close cooperation between the two countries within the European and transatlantic frameworks.
Mr. Hajdú also reflected on recent political developments in Hungary, noting that the landslide victory of the TISZA Party in the parliamentary elections on 12 April had initiated a significant transformation, marking the beginning of what he described as a new chapter in the country’s political life. He expressed his confidence that Hungary’s international partnerships, including its relationship with Sweden, would continue to flourish in this new era.
The economic dimension of Swedish-Hungarian relations was highlighted by Mr. György Nagy, President of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. He recalled that the organization celebrated 30 years of activity in Hungary in 2025. Founded in 1995, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary has developed into a dynamic network that promotes innovation, sustainability, transparency and responsible business practices. Today, it serves as an important platform for connecting Swedish and Hungarian businesses while supporting the visibility of Swedish companies and values in Hungary.
Guests also had the opportunity to discover displays showcasing some of the world-renowned products and innovations of Swedish industry.
Midsummer – Sweden’s Most Beloved Celebration
Historically, Midsummer Night was believed to possess magical qualities. According to Swedish folklore, young women could dream of their future spouse by collecting seven different flowers and placing them beneath their pillow before going to sleep. Flowers remain an important part of the celebration, with women and girls weaving beautiful wreaths from fresh wildflowers, to wear on their heads. Today, Midsummer is above all a celebration of nature, friendship, family, and the arrival of summer, marking the brightest days of the year.
As with all major Swedish holidays, food plays a central role in every Midsummer celebration. Guests enjoyed traditional Swedish specialties such as pickled herring, gravlax, new potatoes with dill, crispbread and a variety of cheeses. No Midsummer celebration would be complete without strawberries, often served with whipped cream or as the famous Swedish strawberry cake, a seasonal favourite eagerly awaited each year.
Traditional aquavit accompanied the meal, while guests were introduced to the unique Swedish tradition of snapsvisor – the drinking songs that form an essential part of festive gatherings. These cheerful and often humorous songs, sung before the toasts, have been passed down through generations and remain one of the most distinctive features of Swedish Midsummer feasts.
A highlight of the enchanting event in the Ambassador’s Residence garden was the musical performance by the acclaimed Hebbe Family from Sweden. The ensemble combines the internationally renowned vocal trio The Hebbe Sisters – Emelie, Josefine and Maria Hebbe – with their parents, pianist Ulrika Hebbe and cellist Lars-Inge Bjärlestam. Their programme offered a delightful blend of classical music, jazz, swing, Swedish folk traditions, pop music and even the evergreen melodies of ABBA, entertaining and captivating the audience throughout the evening.
On this unforgettable evening, the spirit of the Swedish summer found a home in the hearts of the hundreds of guests who attended this memorable celebration in Budapest.
Source: Embassy of Sweden in Budapest
Photos from the Embassy of Sweden in Budapest
