Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Eve)

Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurtis Eve) has its roots from the Viking age when celebrations where held to celebrate fertility, usually around April 30th.  During these celbrations the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. The actual purpose of the fires was to scare off witches and evil spirits. A practical use for the bonfires was also to scare off predators such as foxes before the livestock were let out to graze on May 1st. In the Middle Ages, the pagan Spring ritual became associated with Saint Walpurga who was declared a saint during this time of the year.

Today, however, Swedes tend to look at this holiday as a chance to welcome Spring and the sun back after a long winter.  During these celebrations, choirs often accompany the lighting of the bonfire singing songs to welcome the arrival of spring. 

We attended a local celebration in Solna (which is north of Stockholm) at a neighborhood park.  There was food, games, and activities for the children.  It was a chance for people to get toether and visit after being cooped up during the dark and cold winter months.

 

Waiting for the festivities to begin

Lighting the Bonfire

The local choir singing songs about the arrival of spring

Happy Birthday to King Carl XVI Gustaf

The Swedish royal family celebrated King Carl Gustaf’s 69th birthday on April 30, 2015. Keeping with tradition, a public celebration in the courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm was held. 

The Schedule of Events for the celebration: 

• 11:25 The King arrives to the Outer Courtyard from the Western Gate. 
• 1138 The Army Orchestra performs at the Outer Courtyard 
• 12:00 Salute is fired with the Cannons at Skeppsholmen 
• 12:20 The King is at the Outer Courtyard 
• 12:20 - 12:40 The Change of Guards 
• 12:40 - 13:00 The King receives flowers from children. 
• 13:00 The King and the Royal Family reviews the peoples congratulations from one of the windows in the the Apartments of the Orders of Chivalry 

Waiting for the celebrations to begin!

The Army Orchestra

The King and the entire Royal Family

I was happy to see that even Royal Toddlers don't always behave! ;)

The King, Queen and Princess Estelle greeting onlookers

As you can see, Belle wasn't impressed with the King and his birthday celebration 

My Swedish Birthday

Grattis På Födelsedagen

For my birthday, I wanted to celebrate with friends and incorporate as many Swedish traditions as possible. To celebrate my 33rd birthday, I ended up having three celebrations. My first celebration was Friday evening at Ewa and Bartek's (who are from Poland) apartment. They had invited us over for a night of sampling Polish vodka. 

Cyle had brought a princess cake to celebrate my birthday (although this cake is technically an Opera cake as it is pink instead of green). 

A princess cake (prinsesstårta) is a traditional Swedish cake consisting of spongy layers of cake alternating with jam, vanilla custard and whipped cream. It is then covered with marzipan and dusted with powder sugar. 

The history of the cake dates back to the 1930s, when Jenny Åkerström published a cookbook, Prinsessornas Kokbok: Husmanskost och Helgdagsmat (Princesses Cookbook: Home Cooking and Holiday Food) that contained a recipe for a cake called grön tårta (green cake). Åkerström, who was also a tutor for the Swedish princesses, would often make the green cake for them as it was their favorite. Because of the princesses' love for the cake, the cake became known as the princess cake. 

Belle and her favorite friend, Natalie

I think Belle has a crush on Ewa and Bartek's son, Adam <3

Saturday evening, we met friends for dinner at Mondo's Tapas Bar and a night on the city. 

That evening happened to be culture night in Stockholm. To celebrate the city's history and diversity, all the museums, libraries, cinemas, clubs and attractions were all open until midnight and were free to visit. We chose to visit City Hall, which is where the Nobel dinner is held every year. 

Sunday, which was the day of my birthday, was spent together as a family. The morning began with Cyle and Belle cooking a delicious breakfast of French toast and fresh strawberries. At breakfast, Belle gave me the present she and daddy had picked for me. They got me a book and movie about the Vasa ship, which was a perfect gift for me. 

That afternoon, wanting to enjoy the sunny and warm day, we enjoyed a picnic lunch by the water before taking a boat tour of Stockholm. 

I couldn't have asked for a better (Swedish) birthday!

A Hole New Way to Fika

Dunkin' Donuts has arrived in Stockholm! We can now find American style donuts in Sweden.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Kungsträdgården (“The King’s Garden”), which is one of the city’s most popular parks, is home to the city’s biggest display of soft pink cherry blossoms. In 1998, sixty-three Japanese cherry trees were planted, a gift from Japan. To celebrate the gift and the blooming of the pink buds, Stockholm,in conjuction with the Japaense embassy, holds a cherry blossom festival. This year the festival was held on April 18. 

The festival allow the people of Stockholm a chance to get outside after being indoors after the long, cold winter, enjoy the warm weather, Japanese culture and each other's company.

A visit from Nana and Papa (Cyle's Parents)

In April, Cyle's parents made the journey to Stockholm to visit us, or should I say to visit with Belle! Therefore, it was not much of a surprise that most of their visit centered around playing with Belle. She was so excited to see them and never left their side. She loved going to the playground with Papa and story time with Nana.

Her favorite part of the book was making the horses go "clip-clop" and waving at the Queen 

Between story time and playground visits, we manged to show them the highlights of Stockholm.

Visiting the Royal Palace

The streets of Gamla Stan with City Hall in the background.

A trip to Stockholm wouldn't be complete without a visit to Ikea (and Belle got to try out her new backpack! ;) )

We attended a Medieval Festival with Mike and Allison.

Visited Drottingholm Palace, the residence of the King and Queen of Sweden

We enjoyed their visit, and Belle can't wait to see them more once we are home.