It Was A Long Day!

It was only June, but it was a hot July-type day and we were out under the sun with a crowd of people who were impatiently maneuvering to better their position and everyone around us was looking westwardly at the setting sun.

It was the longest day of the year, a day called The Summer Solstice. We had just left the Minneapolis area whose residents were expected to celebrate the day with songs, dances and delicacies while circling the annual Maypole. A day to celebrate the sun after a long cold winter. But at this time, we were on the highway having left the celebrations , finding ourselves in a mass of cars heading south,  most likely trying to get back to work and earn more money in order to be able to return to the north next weekend! Sun worshipers of a different nature. It truly was the longest  day of the year!

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There has been many examples of  catastrophic episodes in history and it is easy to imagine 'Early Man' observing eclipses , meteorites, comets and other phenomena and connecting it with the sun disappearing in dark clouds and wild weather. All controlled by an apparent invisible god-the Sungod.

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The sun has been given an extraordinary position in early human culture , possibly as social leaders used their knowledge of seasons to maintain their own power and status through the ignorance of the masses. After a long winter of little or no sunlight, everyone would welcome and celebrate the anticipated season of growth and renewal. The word 'solstice' comes from the Latin 'sol' ( sun) and 'steare' ( to stand and stop) while  it's celebration dates back to ancient pre-Christian tradition. For the Greeks, it would mark the start of the new year. Our Native American tribes celebrate the longest day of the year with a Sun Dance.

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Songs and dancing around the maypole are traditional Midsummer fare. This with handcrafts, and flowery wreaths help create a joyous time. Midsummer, also known as St John's Day, is the period of time centered upon the summer solstice on a day between June 19 and June 25 , beginning on the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different cultures.
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Scandinavian celebrations included everyone. Sweden residents celebrated their "Midsummer" with games after dancing around the Maypole..a Maypole in July!?
Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) is an activity that attracts families and many others. Greenery placed over houses and barns was expected to bring good fortune and health to people and livestock; This old tradition of decorating with greens continues,  though most don't take it seriously. att maja' (to may) be the origin of the word.  Other researchers say the term came from German merchants who raised the maypole in June because the Swedish climate made it impossible to find the necessary greens and flowers in May, but continued to call it a maypole. Today, however, it is most commonly called a "midsommarstång" (literally midsummer pole).. To decorate with greens was called 'majstång,

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The night before would be marked by fires. Early fires must have been used as warning signals to friends making them award of invaders. In this case, the highlands would be the first to welcome the new sun. These fires are known today as bonfires and enjoyed even by today's celebrations in annual events.Scholastic students annually gather anything burnable in a great heap and enjoy the burning spectacle of  'The Bonfire' before the Homecoming Game.

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The "piling" of material to burn is  noted in history .  In Norway and Denmark, the man event is and was the Jonsok" or the birth of "John, The Baptist". Mock weddings between adults and even children were meant to symbolize the blossoming of new life.When Christianity entered pagan areas, these celebrations came to be transferred into these traditions.At nightfall, the traditional mountain fires would be lit on June 23rd anticipating the coming celebrations.

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 The celebration of Midsummer's Eve came from ancient times in festivals of the summer solstice. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southward again. A 13th century English monk recorded that St. John's Eve ceremonies were to include cleaning the area of winter rubbish and bones and then burn them. The smoke from these bonefires were expected to drive away all evil spirits of the cold winter season. As time went on, the 'e' disappeared, but the bonfire remained to this day.

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June is marked on our calendar as the beginning of summer and, more importantly, vacation-time and outdoor activities that often include traveling long distances. Even Finnish people are known to mass-exist their cities for countryside cabins for days. Americans crowd the beaches, lakes, nightly bonfires; then hurry home on Sundays to prepare for the next weekend's return trip to the country to enjoy the sunshine.

There is an old saying "Very little changes, under the sun".

Hard To Believe

A joke, right?

Ole and Sven are two characters who, forever, have been the brunt of jokes . These two seem to be the ‘Best of Buds” while at the same time both appear “ dumb as a couple of  posts”. Their everyday life experiences are built on friendship, while each believes his buddy is not too smart.

" Have you heard the one about.."

Ole is a Norwegian, while Sven is from “that other country!” To this day, Scandinavians enjoy the humor and friendly banter when a Swede and a Norskie meet. They seem to ‘get along’, no matter what!

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Looking back through the history of these two countries, it is a wonder that these two should be friends, as, should their countries, after all their fights. Back in ‘The Day’, early Norwegians were known as  the Northmen, or Vikings, who, soon as they learned to row a boat, began to ravage the coasts of northwest Europe causing trouble for everyone.

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 In the 8th century, conquered territory was ruled by conquering chieftains. Territorial power-struggles  created new kingships, tribes combined for strength in battles intermingled across country lines, and countrymen found themselves controlled by foreign rulers.Sweden seemed to be on one side while Norway was on the other.Hardly, friends!

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 Nearly 70% of Norway is uninhabitable, covered by

mountains, glaciers, rivers and  deep fjords. All of this provides beautiful scenery, however, fewer countrymen, limited mobility and scattered population hampered military defense. Due to this, Norway desired to avoid war, or whenever necessary, made arrangements with neighboring tribes or forces. Adding to Norwegian problems, the spread of the dreaded Black Death weakened the country. Alliances with neighboring countries became a necessity and wars were constant.

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Denmark, due to it’s geographical location to Western Europe became an important ally. Early conflicts found Denmark to be the superior force, naturally gaining political control over Norway. Later, more conflict found the forces of Norway-Denmark being attacked by Swedish forces.  Norway frequently was ceded to the winner while the warring contests varied when country alliances changed in the Middle Ages.
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In 1814, Denmark and it’s ally Norway were again on the losing end when involved in the Napoleon War and Norway was ceded to the king of Sweden who was supporting the French. Norwegians finally had enough!  

In an attempt to take control of their destiny, the Norwegians convened a constitutional assembly at Eidsvoll and on May 17, 1814, signed the Constitution of Norway, but the old political influence of Denmark had an effect. The viceroy and heir to the thrones of Denmark and Norway, prince Christian Frederik, was elected by the assembly .Norway would have their independence..with a Danish ruler!

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 Sweden didn’t agree, and more war resulted until Sweden agreed to allowing Norway to maintain a

“Personal Union” with Norway choosing their own governing body. Norway finally was successful in ending the union and also ending over 500 years of monarchs who resided outside the country! With this history of constant wars and political foreign dominance, one would think Norway would be content to enjoy their independence and freedom from other Scandinavian countries. However, both countries came from the same Teutonic race and shared culture connections ran deeply.

The borders between these two countries  changed several times because of war. Currently, both countries virtually have no immigration controls, only  customs checks performed by both countries, sometimes by only one person. These checks are sporadic along the Norway–Sweden border and cars are usually not forced to stop. For flights and ferries between the countries, there are no formal passport checks at airport and ferry ports, but identity cards are needed to board. The border is marked only by mountains, water, fjords or open ground. Stone markers, called cairns, mark many parts of the border.

 One of these stone markers is The Riksrösen  and it divides Norway and Sweden. 

 Streets may have a line to cross to the other country.

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 Due to the extremely high food prices in Norway, about 30 percent of the total Norwegian population,  go on one-day trips to Sweden to buy groceries. A Norwegian family can save up to 40 percent due to a strong Norwegian krone when purchasing goods of low Swedish food prices. The small Swedish border town Tocksfors (1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Oslo), is completely dependent upon Norwegian shoppers to survive.

  A typical ad reads:.We have shopping buses to Sweden (Storlien) every day (morning routes – Tuesday to Sunday and afternoon routes – Monday to Friday).

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Reaping the benefits, the Nordby Center on the Swedish side of the border posted record sales results this summer. Located just off the motorway from Oslo,  Norwegian shoppers  stream over the border in record numbers to avoid hefty domestic prices by  stocking up on groceries in Sweden.

Nordby is always packed with Norwegians and is much bigger than any shopping center in Norway, 

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Many people living in Trondheim travel east and across the border into Sweden for two reasons: shopping or skiing. Just minutes across the border travelers travel to Storlien, known for its shopping centers and the free bus that runs every day from Trondheim. Meat and alcohol are among the items that is cheaper in Sweden

Free buses daily

Citizens of either country have easy access to cross over to visit or shop.After many years of warfare, border and political changes, and dominance of foreign princes and kings, these two countries have developed bonds of cooperation, friendship and shared commerce.

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 Perhaps Ole and Sven are not so dumb after all! 

They know how to ‘get along’.