Celebrating the Swedish midsummer in Rwanda

IT was pomp and glamour on Thursday evening as the Swedish community in Rwanda and friends of Sweden flocked to the home of Maria Hakansson, the Chargé d’Affairs at the Swedish embassy in Kigali, to celebrate midsummer. Celebrating midsummer is one of the most significant occasions in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries which mark the end of dark winters. It’s a day of happiness where people go outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, dress lightly, dance to good music, eat good food and drink wine. The celebrations in Rwanda were not different. Invited guests were treated to mouth watering food, wine, music, and Swedish culture and traditions. “It’s a great occasion for us back in Sweden. We celebrate the sunshine, unlike you people in Rwanda who see the sun 12 months a year,” Håkansson joked, adding that sometimes on long winter days they go without seeing the sun. The women were clad in flowery short dresses complete with a clown of flowers around the head to signify summer. The men, also dressed down, smiled and mingled as they sung summer songs. Guests dance away the midsummer. As Håkansson put it, it is a day of happiness, love and sharing and that’s what exactly happened. Earlier, as she delivered her speech, Håkansson spoke about the relations between Sweden and Rwanda, which she described as ‘cordial’, where the two countries work together not only on development programmes but also other socio-economic activities for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. Shortly after her speech, the Chargé d’Affairs joined her guests to toast to the good relations between Rwanda and Sweden. A special Swedish wine, which she warned ‘is very strong’ was served for the guests to taste. Maria Hakansson, the Chargé dAffairs at the Swedish embassy in Kigali. Speaking to Saturday Times, Hakansson, said, “Midsummer is actually celebrated because it’s the longest day of the year; so basically the sun is up 24 hours. It’s time for partying, it’s time to come together, and it’s a family event. So we thought it would be nice to use this, to celebrate our partners and friends here in Rwanda,” she added. Midsummer celebrations in Sweden occur outdoors with friends and family amongst crowds partaking in a number of heart-warming festivities including homemade food, wearing flower crowns for girls, dancing around the maypole, tug of war games, potato sack races and lots of games. Similarly, the celebrations in Rwanda were marked by fun, food and music. Abdoul Makanyaga and his band entertained the guests to wonderful performances, playing out some of Rwanda’s oldest songs that included, Eliza cheri by Irangira, among many others. Present were diplomatic corps, representatives of different government institutions and members of the civil society.

Entertainment

Celebrating the Swedish midsummer in Rwanda