Every year since I've been alone here, I've watched Smiles of a Summer Night, a film by Ingmar Bergman, on my birthday. Since I was born on the solstice, this always seemed like a good way to celebrate.
This year, I went grocery shopping instead. Then I was exhausted, so no movie.
And now it's Midsummer...
Traditionally, Swedes celebrate Midsummer with food, drink and dance into the light summer night. Decorating and then dancing around a Maypole is common. In the archipelago, where I spent my summers, we danced on a jetty to oldtime music played on an accordion. Such delightful memories.
In Sweden, and some other countries as well, custom says that when a young girl picks seven different kinds of wildflowers and places them under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband.
This year, I was supposed to go on a drive to the beach with my greatnieces and their dad, but after remembering the traffic and crowds at the beach on a lovely summer weekend, I suggested we go in the fall instead.
So now, here I am spending Midsummer's Eve with Faith and Samson.
I can't think of a better time to watch Smiles of a Summer Night again.
Wild StrawberriesWild Strawberries, another film by Ingmar Bergman. I wonder how long he and his contributions to film will be remembered.
