Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Livestream
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Webcam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

Breaking News
Updated: Texas Man Charged in Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl in Bemidji

In Focus: Midsommar Festival Celebrates Swedish Heritage

Malaak Khattab — Jun. 29 2019
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

It’s a celebration of the summer solstice, also known as the longest day of the year, and it happens annually around mid-June.

“In Sweden it’s a really a big celebration. I understand they have huge bonfires at night they stay up all night, near the solstice. It’s a time – probably goes way, way back to pagan times really, but celebrating spring, celebrating light and enjoying beautiful outdoors, good food and good friends,” Sharon Fruetel, an American Swedish Institute Member said.

There’s a good amount of people in Bemidji with Swedish heritage who are interested in their Swedish culture.

“To remember our heritage and to continue to celebrate like our ancestors did and enjoy summer,” Bemidji American Swedish Institute Swedish Group President Allen Paulson said.

The event started with a potluck of traditional Swedish dishes along with traditional music, followed by a parade. Then, the maypole is placed on the ground for people to dance around it.

For many people, Midsommer is a celebration of the summer season, and for others, it’s about holding on to a culture.

“It’s the comradery, it’s getting dressed in our native costumes and upholding some of the traditions like making the crowns,” Fruetel said. “The girls or women make flower crowns from fresh flowers in Sweden, and so it’s a long-standing tradition.”

The festival began in Bemidji to honor the Swedish heritage, and to celebrate and to keep the tradition alive.

“I was really raised in all the Swedish customs, so I do come to this all the time because I enjoy it,” Inger Benson, a Bemidji Affiliate American Swedish Institute Member said. “We did all this dancing and fun food when we were kids and what is nice is that our kids are learning the culture and the dances and enjoying the same things that we have been able to enjoy.”

This year marks the 44th annual Midsommer Festival, and members of the American Swedish Institute in Bemidji say that the celebration will continue on next year.

Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.

Donate Today
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

By — Malaak Khattab

News Reporter

Related Posts

Scholarship Established in Honor of Jim Carrington for Bemidji Student-Athletes

Updated: Texas Man Charged in Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl in Bemidji

1st of 3 Candidates for Bemidji City Manager Interviewed In-Person

Northwoods Experience: Kids Grow Along with Garden at Bemidji Boys & Girls Club

  • Program Schedule

Get the free PBS App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Lakeland PBS Live Stream!

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands the media that people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming