Show & Tell: Walpurgis Eve/30 April/1 May

Promised to tell (and show) you about our Valborgsmässoafton/Walpurgis Eve* party last Thursday which also doubled as Peter's birthday celebration (his birthday was on 16 April so he doesn't share a birthday with the Swedish King on 30 April). But before that, I just wanted to share a few Valborgsmässoafton as well as 1 May (May Day/Labour Day) memories with you.

- The neighbourhood I grew up in used to be my grandparents' neighbourhood - we moved there when I was 13. But because farmor and farfar lived there I spent quite a few Valborgsmässoaftnar by the neighbourhood's bonfire. But the best part was not the actual bonfire, as in the burning of the fire, but playing in the slowly growing pile of garden waste, greenery, branches and other random rubbish the weeks preceeding Valborg. We used to build a hut at the top of the pile. Sometimes people had put tyres or an old armchair (even though that's not really authorised bonfire waste) on the bonfire so we could even furnish our "house". We were actually quite sad that our special playpen would eventually disappear.

- That said, the day after the bonfire was pretty exciting too. The ashes were still hot and slightly smoking. I learnt that lesson the hard way when walking too close to fireground with my new wellingtons. The soles were never the same after that. It must have been a cheap brand or maybe all kinds of wellington would melt of that kind of heat?

- As an adult (well, young adult) I've had the opportunity to take part in the very special Valborg celebrations held in Uppsala (I spent a year there before continuing my studies abroad).

The strongest and most traditional spring festivities are also found in the old university cities, like Uppsala and Lund, where both current and graduated students gather at events that take up most of the day from early morning to late night on April 30, or "sista april" ("the last day of April") as it is called in Uppsala. Modern Valborg-celebrations, particularly in Uppsala, consist of having a light breakfast including champagne and strawberries. During the day people gather in parks, drink alcoholic beverages, grill and generally enjoy the weather, if happens to be any good. (Source: Wikipedia)

I was there in 1998, which happened to be a very good year weather-wise; it was 25 degrees! As far as I remember we didn't see a Bonfire; instead we went to a formal dinner at one of the nations.

- As far as 1 May or May Day (Första maj in Swedish), the Swedish workers' or labour day, is concerned I grew up in an active Social Democratic family and remember being pushed in my pushchair while my mum (can't remember if my dad participated?) and (paternal) grandmother walked with the other demonstrators, singing the Social Democrat hit song The Internationale. Making the placards and banderoles was also fun! I took part in the demonstrations - then with the Social Democratic youth wing - until my late teens but since then I haven't, mainly because I moved abroad and stayed abroad for a while and "got out of the habit". Sometimes I miss it, especially all the fun and the sense of community, but mostly I feel that it's not my thing. I'm still a Social Democrat but I prefer showing my political colours and working for my causes in different ways.

But now to the party photos**!!

Posing with my wonderful friend Maria who's finally feeling better and was well enough to come to the party, her first party or get-together of any kind since she fell ill in early January. It was so special to have her there.


Another great friend, Suvi!

Peter and Johan being silly, a tradition that must be upheld.

Peter sipping one of his concoctions.

Valborg + hot dogs = true

Peter sister arrived late and showed how much she loves her brother :)

Alex reaps the benefits of the only bonfire of the evening

There was some dancing...

...and chair guitar.

It looks like I had had enough at this stage....but I can re-assure you I was smiling a second later!

Choosing music takes at least two people

At this stage it was getting a late...

Leftovers...

Oh, I almost forgot, Musikanta is in charge of the themes for May. See all five themes in the right-hand column.

* Scroll down for the part on Sweden

** More photos on Facebook. Don't want to post too many photos of friends who may not want to be "public" on my blog