Midsummer’s allure lies in its ability to bring people together in a celebration of nature, light, and Swedish tradition. As so much is changing in my life and in this ancient country, I both appreciate and find solace in partaking in Midsummer. Like last year, this past Friday, we celebrated another sun-drenched Midsummer on the island of Orust, north of Göteborg, together with hosts Alexandra and Pär and friends Veronika, Thomas, Martin and Anette. Charlotte and the lovely women are pictured above.

We spoke of life, of travels of goals, and of the future. We laughed, we juggled, we ate delicious herring, salmon, moose, and wild pig. After sunset, Charlotte and I presented our music quiz and then Thomas shared his movie quiz. It was a terrific evening spent outdoors from noon to midnight.

 

The rituals and customs that define this remarkable holiday – dancing around the maypole, wearing handmade flower crowns, and sharing meals and drinks with friends and loved ones – create a sense of connection to when I was visiting Sweden in the summer during my childhood.

However, alongside my increasing appreciation for Midsummer, I also have some growing concerns regarding one of Midsummer’s most prominent features: the abundant consumption of schnapps and other alcoholic beverages.

While an integral part of Midsummer’s bygone traditions, the ritual of singing and toasting to schnapps songs can often lead me to overindulge.

I rarely get plastered, but the amount of liquor does tend to detract and fog the overall experience – and can take days for me to overcome, physically and mentally.

Balancing the joy of tradition with personal well-being has once again become a focal point for me.