Today, June 23, we celebrate Midsummer in Sweden " "
The traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole. Before the maypole is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire pole. Raising and dancing around a maypole is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and many wear traditional folk costumes. One typical dance is the frog dance. The year's first potatoes, pickled herring, sour cream and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Midsummer Flowers According to an ancient rite, sunrise or sundown on Midsummer's day was an auspicious time to gather together a magical bouquet consisting of nine different flowers, (Christians later changed the number to seven). By "sleeping on the bouquet" (inside or underneath the pillow), boys and girls would receive dreams about their future mate. Some say you must choose your flowers naked and alone, 
preferably from plants found near a crossroad. " "
/Inger
More pictures : http://www.flickr.com/photos/22533650@N06/
