June 21, 2011
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Happy Summer Solstice
I lived in Sweden for a while and my favorite time there was the Summer Solstice. First of all, it is a major holiday in Sweden so everyone (almost) has it off. Secondly, it is light just about all night. It gets dusky and the sun sets but only for a half hour or so before it begins to rise again. I’ve spent a couple of SS there and it was marked by good friends sharing a leisurely drink and good cheer. The bars are open all night and there is no sense of rushing to get drunk but rather a relaxed jovial mood. Actually in Stockholm it can be hard to find a bar open since most of them close but the ones that are are usually quite busy.
There is also a custom for toasts. Everyone raises their glass but doesn’t drink until each person has made eye contact with every other person in the group. I have seen this done with groups of twenty and there is no shortcuts. If you look at someone and they are making eye contact with someone else it doesn’t count. Eye to eye is demanded of everyone. Kind of cool.
Skoal!
Comments (15)
yep. !!!! skoal !!!!
Happy Solstice sir.
I’ve heard of solstice but I never knew much about how it’s celebrated. I enjoyed reading what your experience of it is. I like the custom of looking at each other eye to eye; seems like a bonding experience.
Hmm. I didn’t know that. Happy Solstice ^^
Gotta say, that sounds wonderful. P.S. Happy Summer.
I was in Norway at the solstice one year, and it was a wonderful night.
@blonde_apocalypse - “like”
that is pretty cool.. we live in a time of reduced eye contact too..
@anth0nyc - interesting observation
It is cool and I think very respectful.
That sounds so fun, and peaceful. I wish we did that in America. My mom went to Sweden once for a business trip, it was in June though, and said it was light all the time. I bet it’s gorgeous on a day like today.
@everlastte - It takes a bit of getting used to. Especially getting to sleep in the light but it also seems to create more energy meaning I found I could live with less sleep.
It’s been a LONG time, I know. Hope you’re doing well and still keeping busy with your stories.
@Everyday_Emmy - Yes I am quite busy. I hope you are doing well.
thanks for sharing the *eye contact* story..what a great way for ppl to connect over a casual drink..and other activities;)