"Finally midsummer celebration at Långå Skans" it was announced a couple of days ago. The title began with one of the most loaded words we have in Swedish, then Selma Lagerlöf 1891 began his debut novel, Saga of Gösta Berling, with the words 'Finally the priest stood in the pulpit'.
The word 'finally' describes that a period, a process or a longing reaches its desired goal. Finally I arrived at my favorite spot where the fish was waiting for me! What you dreamed about comes true, maybe not exactly as you want, but it 'occurs'. You 'go to the finish line' and start a continuation, in this case in the summer with all the expectations and wishes we packed it with. Nature at its peak, greenery in its richest garb, the chicks practice flying, the flowers bloom, the ponds lie in the landscape like rain-washed mirrors, the fish is watching!
Finally we gather again for midsummer celebrations. With the same warmth as in the Christmas greetings, we wish each other a Happy Midsummer. 'After all' – we should treat ourselves to that even if we don't forget for a second the sufferings of the world's senseless wars. It is not more than 300 years since the Russians were here and at war with us. It is ten generations back in time. In Sweden! On Swedish soil! Midsummer Eve 1719 Forsmark's mill was burned, everything disappeared except the church. Among other things, the atrocity was aimed at Swedish infrastructure. Men! From the ashes arose a new prominent industrial country with world-leading iron production and coined concepts such as 'Swedish steel bites'.
Last night the clock 22.51 the summer solstice occurred with the longest day of the year. For a while it doesn't get quite pitch dark anywhere in Sweden because the sun is only a bit below the horizon in its northern direction. Midsummer night and the nights around it contain their magical twilight, which turns directly into dawn. The darkness has no place! The fishing day ends and begins the next. At the same time! The most and best fishing time is experienced right now. Now it's good to fish!
Happy Solstice!
Helgi Jonsson