Where's The Fire?

The night is filled with the sight of fires where-ever you look. Along the beaches, everywhere, people are dancing, singing and holding a joyful celebration. It's St Hansaften, the ultimate summer occasion and feast in Scandinavia. After a long dark winter, it’s time for a joyous celebration of a much-awaited summer. Bonfires are lighting up the skies, swimmers are diving into the deep fjords and barbeques glow down by the water.These are the sights of people celebrating a seemingly endless midsummer night. June 23 is St.Hans Aften (St.John’s Eve) in Norway. It may also have another name, that being Sankthansaften. If you ask someone, this is what you might hear in explanation: “Etter en stund blir bålene tent, og folk koser seg med god mat, gode historier, sang - og dans”. It sounds like: “eht-tehr ehn stoonn bleer bohl-eh-neh tehnnt oh fohlk koo-sehr sai meh goo maht goo-eh hees-too-ree-ehr sahng oh dahns”. Its English translation is:“After a while, the bonfires are lit, and people sit down to enjoy good food, good stories, singing--and dancing”

-------------------

Norway celebrates Sankthansaften, or St. John's Eve each June 23, the eve before the longest day of the year. It is also called Jonsok which translates to John's wake, referring to St. John the Baptist's birth. Rituals carry on each year as little girls pick flowers and put them under their pillows at night with hopes of dreaming of their future husband.

----------------------

The bonfire tradition, which is quite often along the coast, goes back to pagan days, was believed to produce fertile soil, and providing protection from witches and evil spirits. Some believed the witches to be especially active on midsummer nights, gathering their witchcraft ingredients and preparing for witchery at evil gatherings. In parts of Norway, a custom of arranging mock marriages, both between adults and between children, is still kept alive. The wedding was meant to symbolize the blossoming of new life. Such weddings are known to have taken place in the 1800s, but the custom is believed to be older.

----------------

It’s all in celebration of the coming day “ When the suns stands still”. Solstice celebrations still center around the day of the astronomical summer solstice. Some choose to hold the rite on the 21st of June, even when this is not the longest day of the year, and some celebrate June 24th, the day of the solstice in Roman times. The word solstice derives from Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change. Before Christianity came to Denmark, Scandinavian peoples celebrated the longest day as a supernatural struggle between light and dark, heat and cold.

-----------------------

Since the feast day of Saint John the Baptist occurred on June 23rd, near the date of the annual summer solstice, the Christian Church emphasized this celebration in Scandinavia. “Hans” is the diminutive of “Johannes” or “John”. Today it’s a very good excuse to stay up late, have fun, and light bonfires.The Gospel of Luke states that John was born about six months before Jesus, therefore, the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on June 21~24, six months before Christmas. This feast day is one of the very few saints' days to mark the supposed anniversary of the birth, rather than the death of the saint commemorated.The coming days will slowly become shorter and shorter until the days grow completely dark. Norwegians live with these polar opposite seasons every year and, therefore, they take full advantage of every summer and enjoy the extended company of the sun on Sankthansaften, or St. John’s Eve.

---------------------------

At the feast, everyone enjoys the traditional treat..sour cream porridge, better known as rømmegrøt.

Ingeborg Nygaard, the chef at the American Norwegian Embassy, said: “Bonfires, rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge), cured ham, barbeque, midsummer, sun, family, friends and dancing” are her fond memories of the occasion. Sour cream porridge is eaten sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and with warm melted butter. Some people also like to add raisins on top, as pictured . Red juice, such as raspberry or currant, is usually served with the porridge.

------------------------------

Summer is finally here---and that’s a reason to celebrate!

Look at All The Trees!

Summertime is vacationtime. A couple weeks ago, we decided to see the scenery and visit some friends in the Norwegian area of Southwestern Wisconsin known as the “Driftless Area”, or land not touched by glaciers that leveled much of Wisconsin. We found ourselves in the mountains of Wisconsin. These “mountains” are called the Ocooch Mountains, the Native American name given to this portion of the Driftless Region in southwest Wisconsin. This area was originally inhabited by the Sauk Indians , but later settled by Scandinavian immigrants. Actually, you would have to travel back in time a few million years to see real mountains, but what remains, after several Ice Age episodes, are some hills that make you think you are actually in mountains.

You might think you are in the Ozarks! ----------------------

And what a variety of trees, everywhere, lush and green. In fact, as the old saying goes: “You can hardly see the forest for the trees!”. It is easy to see why immigrants from Scandinavia chose areas of Westby, Viroqua, and Coon Valley to settle into. The hills and valleys are everywhere and covered with a variety of trees. Many trees in this area are called deciduous. These normally completely shed leaves annually as opposed to coniferous or needled trees that keep foliage on all year. These deciduous tree leaves provide color over the hills, creating spectacular scenes in the autumn. Not having been rooted up by the glaciers and ice ages, these trees have spread throughout the area for many years. Checking a tree’s age has been done by counting the growth rings of logs, but now researchers are able to read the DNA from the living roots and are discovering some very old trees! However, many species of trees are disappearing, due to their popularity.

-----------------------------

A well-known oldie is the Boswellia tree. This tree has been known to be the source of a biblically famous perfume called frankincense. For centuries, frankincense, is valued by kingdoms across ancient Arabia, the Mediterranean and the Far East. Frankincense is an oily gum resin periodically scraped off by local villagers and sold in 40kg sacks to traders. Because these trees are stressed by constant scrapings, they become weak and die. The oldest trees in the USA are the Bristlecone Pine, located in the White Mountains of California. Research has found one of these trees being 4,789 years old.

--------------------

It is commonly believed that trees were absent in Scandinavia during the last glaciation and first recolonized the Scandinavian Peninsula with the retreat of its ice sheet , but recent findings have researchers reconsidering. DNA studies have shown that some Scandinavian trees survived the last Ice Age, challenging a widely held notion that they were killed off by the huge ice sheet that covered the region. Modern trees in Scandinavia were thought to descend from species that migrated north when the ice melted 9,000 years ago. Research suggests some conifers survived on mountain peaks that protruded from the enormous ice sheet, on islands and in coastal areas.The researchers came to their conclusions by studying the DNA of modern spruce - which clearly portrays two Scandinavian types. One belief is that trees were able to survive on the top of nunataks, the exposed ridges or peaks of mountains protruding from glacial cover.

-------------------------------

A recent report states that a Swede has discovered a tree said to be the oldest on the planet! This tree is thought to be nearly 10,000 years old and recently found in Sweden. ---It’s a spruce tree! “The tree's incredible longevity is largely due to its ability to clone itself” according to Leif Kullman, a professor at Umeå University's department of ecology and environmental science in Sweden.

----------------------

The visible portion of the spruce was comparatively new, but analysis of four "generations" of remains - cones and wood - found underneath its crown showed its root system had been growing for 9,550 years.

------------------

As we travel country roads bordered by the scenic trees we take for granted, we often see large logging trucks heavily loaded enroute to sawmills. We give little thought to the history going down the road.

Enjoy your summer. Enjoy the view!

Let's Go To The Beach!

Travelling to Scandinavia this summer?

June is the favorite month of many Scandinavia visitors as it warms Scandinavia up nicely and brings everyone outdoors. Summer attractions are open, Scandinavia's parks and gardens are in full color in June, and visitors to Norway are ready to help the people enjoy the annual Midsummer celebrations. These Scandinavian midsummer traditions dates back to pagan times, showing the defeat of darkness to the powers of the sun god. Later, when you’re ready for a swim, take the road down to Selje, located on the West Coast of Norway in the County of Sogne og Fjordane. Enjoy the scenery. Watch the road!

--------------------------

And if you are really interested in a unique swimming experience, head for Iceland! In Iceland, the sea is normally far too cold to tempt swimmers, but at Nautholsvik Bay in Reykjavik, a thermal beach has been created, where natural hot water flows out into the sea, and you can frolic in the waves as if you were in the Mediterranean! This artificial beach in Nauthólsvík is a fun place to cool down during a rare hot summer day. Featuring specially- imported white sand, they pump geothermal water into the ocean, so you can take a dip without freezing to death.

---------------------------

A beach of golden sand has been created and a "pool" has been enclosed nearby, separate from where the water temperature is about 20ºC. Refreshments and various services are available at the beach. Iceland was settled by Norwegian and Celtic immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D. According to their history, the first settler of Iceland built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavik stands today. The place was named Reykjavik – “Smoky Bay” - after the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made such a profound impression on the original settlers.

---------------------------

Have you heard about the Swedish Riviera? On your summer trip, don't forget to enjoy the sunny, sandy beaches in southern and central Sweden. Visit Stockholm and still enjoy sand and sun at two popular beaches right in the city: The county of Skåne is known for its beach region in Sweden. It's the southernmost county in Sweden and offers long, warm beaches. However, travellers must be aware that the scenery at some Scandinavian beaches differs from those in the USA. Signs are posted and probably read carefully. --- Signs are often used to inform beach visitors about nude-only or CO (clothes optional) beaches. Read carefully.

-----------------------

Nudism in Scandinavia is nothing unusual - Scandinavia is the most open-minded region in the world. It's perfectly legal in Scandinavia for nudists to swim naked, or to sunbathe either topless or completely in the nude. In Denmark, nudism is allowed on many kilometers of coastline with several dedicated to “naturists only”. Norway has over 20 clothes-free beaches, and Sweden offers about 60 beaches for nudists! So, check the signs and swim-apparel accordingly.

------------------------------

There is no surprise that water plays a very important part in Finnish lives. Hot water, because the Finnish sauna is a substantial part of Finnish culture. For Finnish people, the sauna is a place in which to relax with friends and family, and a place for physical and mental relaxation as well. Finns think of saunas not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Saunas are found on the shores of Finland's numerous lakes, and in every home. Especially in the wintertime! The benefits of saunas and steambaths are widely reported for relieving stress and soothing tired muscles as well as aiding most health improvements.

Where-ever your journey finds you, enjoy the summer, Scandinavian style!

It's Independence Day!!

Everyone in the USA is saying " I don't think so", but in Scandinavian countries, this is a very important time of year! June begins the warmer months of the year and patriotic events seem to be everywhere.

It was June 5th, when Danish citizens celebrated . Constitution Day, or Independence Day in Denmark is on June 5, a national holiday. It is called Constitution Day because it commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the constitution of 1849 , putting into law the "Constitutional monarchy", replacing the "Absolute Monarchy", thus striving to limit the power of the "King". Since that date, the Danish constitution has been completely rewritten five times. No huge celebration, but a day of celebrating with family. June 5th is also Father's Day in Denmark!

---------------

Swedes celebrate Flag Day (similar to an "Independence Day") in memory of the founding of the kingdom of Sweden by the coronation ceremony of Gustav Vasa on June 6, 1523 as well as celebrating their constitution law on June 6 of 1809. This date was selected to be the official National Day of Sweden in the year 1983. Sweden's Independence Day has been a public holiday only since 2005, and is without large celebrations or events. Gustav I has subsequently been labelled the founder of modern Sweden, and the "father of the nation". Gustav liked to compare himself to Moses, whom he believed to have also liberated his people. As a person, Gustav was known for ruthless methods , a sly wit and ability to outmaneuver and annihilate his political opponents.He served as King of Sweden from 1523-death 1560.

-----------------

Icelandic Independence Day is June 17, a major annual event in Iceland commonly known as National Day.In 1944, the Scandinavian country of Iceland declared full independence from the Danish crown. Icelanders selected June 17 to be the official holiday because it was the birthday of Jon Sigurdsson, who is regarded as Iceland's champion to their nationalist cause, that being a resolution of a union with Denmark! Sigurdsson was born in June 17, 1811.

--------------------

Finland is a Scandinavian country that is not celebrating this month. Finnish residents declare their memorial day on December 6th. Finland was under control of the Russian Empire until 1917 when they finally succeeded in their quest for independence . Every year, on this day, two candles are lit and placed in a window . They were placed to inform young men on their way to Sweden and Germany that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.

------------------------

There has always been a tendency to call Norway's syttende mai Independence Day, but that's Constitution Day. Norway's actual Independence Day is June 7th. The parliament of Norway broke the union with Sweden on June 7th, 1905. After some months of tension and fear of war between the two neighboring nations, negotiations between the two governments led to Norway's recognition by Sweden as an independent constitutional monarchy on October 26th, 1905, when King Oscar II renounced his claim to the Norwegian throne, dissolving the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. King Oscar was the King of Sweden, and later the King of Norway! By historical coincidence, June 7th was also the date in 1940 when King Haakon VII of Norway and the royal family had to leave the country after escaping the German forces during the WWII invasion of Norway; and it is also the date in 1945 on which the King returned after 5 years of exile in London.

---------------------

So, June is a busy month. Happy Independence Day to you all!