Valborgsmässoafton – a Swedish tradition

On Saturday we celebrate Valborgsmässoafton in Sweden. It’s a celebration that Winter’s over. Valborgsmässoafton has been celebrated in Sweden since the Middle Ages and the original pagan festival heralded the onset of the growth season. It attempted to ward off evil, ensure fertility and cleanse the land of the dried and dead of winter. Today, it is still the accepted gateway to long and warmer days.  Valborgsmässoafton calls for a mountainous bonfire and a crowd. These enormous blazes are either organized by the local municipality or neighbourhood 🔥