Midsummer celebrations: Northern tradition takes root in Brussels

Midsummer, the celebration of the summer solstice, is increasingly being observed in Brussels, drawing in communities from Scandinavia and the Baltic states. This ancient festival, marking the longest day of the year, holds deep cultural significance, especially in Northern Europe where the seasonal contrasts are more pronounced.

For many, the return of light after the winter is a profound experience. Celebrations vary regionally, from dancing and floating flower wreaths to jumping over bonfires. Ingela Rossing, a Swedish doctoral student living in Brussels, notes that in Sweden, midsummer is as important as Christmas. The traditional Swedish celebration centers around a decorated pole, 'midsommarstång,' with dancing, herring, strawberries, and schnapps. "It is the only celebration where I see the entire village come together," Rossing says. "Old and young, families and strangers: everyone dances together."

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It is the only celebration where I see the entire village come together. Old and young, families and strangers: everyone dances together.

While the vibrant nature and endless twilight are key elements of midsummer for Rossing, she finds a "part of it" in Brussels when she looks for it. This year, she plans a smaller celebration with friends from various countries, including Chile, France, and Iran, emphasizing the festival's growing international appeal.

The tradition also resonates within educational settings. The Steiner school in Anderlecht prepares for St. John's Day, celebrated three days after the solstice. Teacher Nancy Van Wichelen explains that St. John's Day symbolizes a complete "exhalation" in contrast to the introspective "warmth" of Christmas in Steiner pedagogy. Children learn songs, pick flowers for wreaths, and prepare a large bonfire where they will later jump over the cooled ashes, a symbolic act of purification and renewal.

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Where Christmas means warmth and introspection, St. John's stands for the complete exhalation.