Walpurgis Night: Bonfires and fellowship usher in spring's return

By Carolyn Spargo

April is the transition month from winter to spring, or so we hope. In Sweden, the celebration, Valborgsmässafton (Walpurgis Eve) is celebrated on the last day of April. In pagan days, the ritual of setting bonfires may have been to scare off evil spirits in the evening, but for thousands of years it has been the time for burning the old brush for the new spring growth.

Valborgsmässafton (pronounced Vahl-borrs-mess-often) is an evening of huge bonfires and celebration throughout the country. Community choirs and church choirs, which are very much a part of this culture, sing songs of spring for the community and the welcoming of May. Hotdogs and Falukorv, a Swedish bologna, are roasted on sticks while firecrackers are lit by the local youth adding more sound effects to the crackling fire.

The whole community stands around the huge bonfire in their boots and winter jackets thinking of midsummer, which is just around the seasonal corner. Smaller fires are built in the cities and celebrations of singing, drinking, dancing, and laughing can be observed around Swedish college campuses. Families gather after the fire at homes for more food and fellowship throughout the night.

Finland also celebrates this holiday. There the celebration is called Vappu. Its celebration is a carnival on the streets, without a bonfire. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with balloons, streamers, and drink and move into houses into the early morning.  

For those who have not partied too hard and too long, May 1 — May Day — is Demonstration Day. It is filled with political speeches, parades and protests. May 1 in both Sweden and Finland is a paid holiday, and is referred to on their calendars as a Red Day.

Walpurgis Night

On Friday, April 11, the Nordic Heritage Club will start an early celebration of Walpurgis Night. The festivity will start at 7:30 p.m. in Victoria.

The club and the public will meet at the Acorn House, located next to the Victoria Field House at on 8475 Kochia Lane. The ASI (American Swedish Institute) Cloudberries, a Swedish women’s choir, will sing songs welcoming the spring and teach a few traditional songs for everyone to learn. Refreshments will be served.

Valborgsmässafton is not complete without a fire. After the concert, for those who wish to continue the celebration, there will be a bonfire, not too far away, at a location revealed at the meeting night. All are welcome. We all hope for an early spring!

Spargo's "All Things Nordic," column is part of the Victoria Town Square pages of the Chaska Herald. Spargo is a Chaska resident and a founder of the Nordic Heritage Club, which meets the second Friday of the month at the Acorn House.