The Dala Heritage Society hosts Midsommar with Spelmanslag
The Dala Heritage Society (OHS) invites community residents to join in the fun in celebrating Midsummer in the Swedish fashion on Friday, June 14, 5:15 p.m. at the Library Park in Mora.
While it is possible to participate as easily as walking around in a circle, here is some information that gives a little background to prepare for the event. Midsummer in Sweden is as big a celebration as how Americans celebrate July 4th. Many families have their own midsummer pole, decorated with leaves and flowers. Many communities like Mora, MN. and Mora, Sweden, offer a larger celebration in public gathering places. Community members decorate the pole, participate in the procession, and help to raise it towards the sky, signifying new life after a long and dark winter. There are many song games that are traditionally performed around the pole, such as, "Sma Grodorna" {the little frogs) and "Karusellen" (The carousel). People of all ages from the very young to those who are young at heart join in the fun as they circle the pole and sing funny songs about the pastor's crows who drive their car into the ditch, or the fine musicians who play the bass fiddle and flute.
The location for this community event is the Library Park, 200 W. Maple Ave. The American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag will perform during and after the pole raising. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs. To participate even further, meet the OHS members who will guide the decorating of the Midsummer pole at 9 a.m. Guests are encouraged to bring flowers to add to the colorful pole.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its general fund.
For more information call 612-919-0185.
Photo
The American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag performs for the annual Oala Heritage
Society's Midsummar Celebration. The ASI Spelmanslag was founded in 1985 and
currently has members from teenagers to octogenarians. The group performs
traditional folk music of Sweden with a repertoire including waltzes, schottishces, and polskas. The location is Library Park in Mora, and the festivities begin at 5: 15 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Photo by S.Skjold.