June 25 is Midsummer (Midsommar), a much loved summer celebration among the Swedes.

Göteborg Daily's panelists were asked what are their plans and what are their thoughts on Swedish Midsummer celebrations?

Karen
Usually we head off to the family's place in Lysekil. Several years back my lovely darling -often quiet -20 something swedish niece piped up during breakfast and announced that the pole that they dance around for Midsummer is really- politely put - a large "phallic symbol"--and was kinda like the "Pagan God's" way of releasing his seed into the ground for good crops. The other natives (who hadn't heard this before either- and myself mulled that over with our morning sill and figured.... she was probably right. (and I do believe in fact she is.)

However, the thought of sending your pretty young daughters out with the flowers in their hair -to dance around that- well, ick....It's never been the same since for me. "Innocently perverse?!" But hej! What the heck- It's still fun!

Yining
This Midsummer I'm actually not really sure about my plans. However usually Midsummer is a time to celebrate with your friends and family. We often to go a summerhouse by the water, there we have some nice traditional Swedish food and drinks. We sing some drinking songs and just talk all night.

For the brave ones, it is also the time for the first swim of the year. It is often a very nice weekend where we meet old friends and recall some fun stories.

Cristina
I really enjoy the light at this time of the year. A perfect midsummer's Eve is a warm summer night at our country house in Dalsland with the family. Flowery meadows, herring, new potatoes and strawberry cake.

When the girls were younger, my daughters and I always picked meadow flowers and made wreaths of flowers to wear in our hair. We also used to go to communal celebrations and dance around the midsummer pole.

This year, we are invited to friends in Lindome. But on Midsummer's Day we will go to Dalsland. It's a fantastic time of the year to be there. I plan to sit on the veranda, listen to the birds, drink a glass of white wine and read a good book.

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