Valborgsmässoafton

The last half of April 30^th and all of May 1^st are Swedish red days.  Red days are the nick name for Swedish holidays.  I believe this comes from the fact that the days are marked in red on the calendar.  Many Swedes have this day and a half off of work. 

And so to answer the burning question: Why?

May 1st is the International Workers Day.  But long before it was international workers day, the day was set  side to celebrate Saint Walpurga, who was canonized on May 1^st 870.  Saint Walpurga (In Swedish: Valborg) left England to travel with her brothers and uncle to evangelize Germany.  An interesting aside is that Saint Walpurga’s father, two brothers and uncle were also sainted.  An educated woman, she is considered by many to be the first female author of England and Germany.  For more, I refer you to the Catholic Encyclopedia:   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15526b.htm

But today not many Swedes remember any of this.  April 30^th has become the official welcome of Spring.  And believe me when I say, it is very very welcome!!  I like winter, but this has been long even for me!!

Burning question number 2: How is it celebrated?  At a minimum: by singing very traditional Swedish songs of Spring and by lighting a HUGE bonfire. 

The songs:  I have listed  Vårsång as an example

Vårsång

Glad såsom fågeln i morgonstunden

Hälsar jag våren i friska natur'n,

Lärkan mig svarar och trasten i lunden,

Ärlan på åkern och orren i fur'n. …

 Se, hur de silvrade bäckarna små

Hoppa och slå,

Hoppa och slå

Vänliga armar kring tuvor och stenar!

Se, hur det spritter i buskar och grenar

Av liv och av dans,

Av liv och av dans  

I den härliga vårsolens glans!

Translated:

Spring Song 

Happy like bird in the morning hour
I greet the spring in healthy natur'n,
Lärkan me answers and thrush in the grove,
Ärlan the field, and black grouse in fur'n. ...

See how they silvrade small creeks
Jump and hit,
Jump and hit
Friendly arms around tufts and stones!
See how it sparkles in the bushes and branches
Of life and of dance,
Of life and of dance
In the glorious spring sun shine!

For a lovely recording of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuRHZJtzSrs

Bål (The bonfire)

I read somewhere that the original purpose of the bonfire was that the farm animals were being released to graze and the fire was to discourage predators.  Whatever the reason, the fires are a definite part of the celebration. An alternative thought has to do with scaring away witches.  Why a witch would not like fire is beyond me. 

So what did we do last evening?

Our church hosted a community celebration.  We had singing, happily accompanied by professional musicians, the bål, offered simple food for a nominal fee, and ended the evening with a wonderful jazz concert!!  Dang.  Aside from this being a great church, having a church that hosts a great jazz concert is terrific!! 

A friend, and professional photographer, Balázs Schlemmer, generously lent me the first four pictures included in this post.  The last was lent to me by my husband. 

 

And now I must end this.  We just got a call from a friend.  They are out gardening and are going to grill out, and we are invited!!  She mentioned, BTW, that today is a big day for gardening.  "If you are not out demonstrating [presumably for (or against?) labor] you are out gardening.

And so off we go!!