In which Zin has pyromaniac tendences.
May. 1st, 2009 05:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zinnithYesterday was Walpurgis Night in Sweden, something that must be acknowledged. It's huge in the village where I grew up, and naturally I had to document the whole thing.
Things you need for a proper Walpurgis Night in Fäggeby, Sweden:
1: A big heap of junk to burn.
2: A sandwich layer cake or two. This one was made by my mother and lovingly decorated by me. Sister #1 thinks I ought to open a café! *is proud of self*
3: A buttload of fireworks.
There, all set! Now, the celebrations can begin! You start by gathering friends and family and eat the cake. Around that time, I'd had a beer or two so the pictures came out a little blurry for some reason. However, when you've stuffed yourself so full you can't possibly eat another bite, it's time to go outside and light the bonfires.
Mum and Dad live by the River Dal and everyone in the village has their own bonfire. It's traditional to compete about who has the largest fire. It's also traditional to complain about the newly moved in neighbour who burns things that shouldn't be burned, like tractor tires and his own lawn.
In any case, it's wildly beautiful with all the fires and torches reflecting in the water.
When it's dark enough, it's time to set off the fireworks. It starts with everyone's private fireworks.
My dad and little brother had a lot of fun.
After that, the communal fireworks begins. The whole village collect money to hire professional pyrotechnics to come and give us a show. Unfortunately, my pictures can't even begin do describe it, but this year's show was something extra.
When the fireworks are over, you go inside and eat the rest of the sandwich cake. The younger generation (sister #1, sister #2 and sister #2:s boyfriend) went off to find a fire with more alcohol culture than ours, while us old ancient things went back inside and have another helping of food.
Today, the side of the river looks like this.
All in all, a very successful celebration. I'd say we managed to scare off all the evil spirits. Now it's spring for real!
Things you need for a proper Walpurgis Night in Fäggeby, Sweden:
1: A big heap of junk to burn.
2: A sandwich layer cake or two. This one was made by my mother and lovingly decorated by me. Sister #1 thinks I ought to open a café! *is proud of self*
3: A buttload of fireworks.
There, all set! Now, the celebrations can begin! You start by gathering friends and family and eat the cake. Around that time, I'd had a beer or two so the pictures came out a little blurry for some reason. However, when you've stuffed yourself so full you can't possibly eat another bite, it's time to go outside and light the bonfires.
Mum and Dad live by the River Dal and everyone in the village has their own bonfire. It's traditional to compete about who has the largest fire. It's also traditional to complain about the newly moved in neighbour who burns things that shouldn't be burned, like tractor tires and his own lawn.
In any case, it's wildly beautiful with all the fires and torches reflecting in the water.
When it's dark enough, it's time to set off the fireworks. It starts with everyone's private fireworks.
My dad and little brother had a lot of fun.
After that, the communal fireworks begins. The whole village collect money to hire professional pyrotechnics to come and give us a show. Unfortunately, my pictures can't even begin do describe it, but this year's show was something extra.
When the fireworks are over, you go inside and eat the rest of the sandwich cake. The younger generation (sister #1, sister #2 and sister #2:s boyfriend) went off to find a fire with more alcohol culture than ours, while us old ancient things went back inside and have another helping of food.
Today, the side of the river looks like this.
All in all, a very successful celebration. I'd say we managed to scare off all the evil spirits. Now it's spring for real!
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Date: 2009-05-04 07:23 pm (UTC)Traditions are odd things ;) I'm so glad we don't have trigger-happy people over here! As a matter of fact, I'm glad for our gun-control laws, which pretty much prevents trigger-happy people from using their guns on other things than moose.