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.
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| Waiting for the festivities to begin |
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| Lighting the Bonfire |
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| The local choir singing songs about the arrival of spring |
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