Photo: Anders Wahlström |
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Walpurgis Night -
Valborgsmässoafton
Named after St Walpurga, an eighth-century abbess in Germany. In Sweden, 'Valborg' has her name-day on 1 May, which is called 'Valborgsmässa'. Eve, in Swedish, is 'afton'. On the evening of April 30th, crowds of Scandinavian men and women gather around roaring bonfires. In university towns, many wear white caps with lyre emblems, the symbol of present and former students, and as the fires blaze they sing spring songs like 'Sköna maj vlkommen', 'Vinterna rasat ut' and 'Vårvindar friska, leka och viska'. Originally, during the Viking Era, the fires were set to hurry along the coming of spring as well as to scare off witches, but today they remind distant watchers of a warmth soon to come. The crackling bonfires can be seen all around the countryside. The traditional meal on this evening is gravlax, fresh salmon marinated in salt, sugar and fresh dill. Valborg is usually symbolized with three oat ears and a small bottle of oil. These represent fertility.
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