What holidays of Sweden are usually celebrated in a country with a 40-hour work week?

Who does not work, he ... eats. True, not all work, alas. It is undeniable that the one who works knows the price of a good rest. Let's see when and what is celebrated in well-fed, calm Sweden, where to work is a pleasure. Explain why.

It goes without saying that all official holidays in Sweden are governed by the laws of the country and are non-working days.

The Swedes are a cheerful people who love triumphs, despite the stereotype of “hard nords”. They are not averse to drinking and buzzing the night away. Holidays can be attributed to two large categories: Christian (religious) and those that are not related to religion. The eve of the holiday, or part of the day on the eve of the celebration, is considered festive, so many offices close in the middle of the day.

Since 2015, after the adoption of the law on the 40-hour work week in the country, after which the labor productivity of the Swedes has grown significantly, and people have become much happier, Saturdays have become days off for some people.

All Sundays are considered holidays in the country .

List of public holidays in Sweden

Easter

This bright spring holiday fills hearts with purity and love. On Thursday before Easter Sunday, children dressed as sorcerers give out passers-by drawings that show the words "Congratulations on Easter," and they get coins and sweets for this. On the holiday itself, the Swedes cut willow or birch branches, decorate them, and the children receive as a gift colored eggs from papier-mâché, inside of which candies are hidden.

Walpurgis Night

To scare away the witches gathered on the Sabbath in Walpurgis Night from April 30 to May 1, huge bonfires are lit. By the way, on May 1, it was customary for the Swedes to honor King Karl Gustav.

What prepared 2018

Let's get acquainted with the holidays of Sweden that have been awaiting the inhabitants of the country since the summer. It all starts on the 2nd day, when the Stockholm marathon starts in the country.

Run!

This is one of the most prestigious world large-scale races, the history of which has been written annually since 1979. The forty-two-kilometer route was laid in such a way that all the sights of the capital were covered and visible to the participants, before whose eyes a real medieval fairy-tale city appears.

June 6 - Swedish Flag Day celebration

The very first images of a blue cloth with a cross date back to the 16th century. June 6 in Sweden celebrate the Day of the Swedish flag.

Mid-Summer Festival (June 22-23)

Paradoxically, the name does not at all correspond to the time of the celebration. However, that makes sense. The event is celebrated on the longest day of the year, coinciding with the summer solstice. The summer holiday in Sweden in the national language sounds like "Midsumar."

St. Hans Day - Ivan Kupala

A day later, the Swedes celebrate St. Hans Day (John the Baptist). Do you recognize our Orthodox holiday of Ivan Kupala? The whole world celebrates his birth on June 24. Mistresses serve pork ribs, herring with potatoes and strawberries with cream on the table.

July 7-8: Stockholm Street Festival

July begins with the Street Culture Festival, which has been held since 2010 in Kungstradgarden Park, located near Gamla Stan. Musicians and acrobats, pranksters, fun people and magicians fill the streets of the city.

July 29-31: Stockholm Festival of Music and Art

At the end of July, the capital hosts a festival of music and art. This is a chance for talented people to appear, and an opportunity to pay attention to a specific problem in society, for example, related to refugees.

Stockholm Gay Pride from July 31 to August 6

The beginning of August is marked by the holding of a rather new but already scandalous popularity of a noisy gay parade.

Stockholm Culture Festival August 15-21

This holiday can be called a peculiar day of the city of Stockholm. Mass festivals are unfolding in full swing, ubiquitous food courts are opening, singing and dancing are organized. The Swedes walk for a week, unlike the modest Muscovites, who cannot afford such expanse for more than one day.

Baltic Sea Festival from August 21 to 29

This festival has been held annually since 2003 and is curated by Russian maestro Valery Gergiev and Finnish conductor Esa-Pekki Salonen. Over the years, he managed to turn into a prestigious European event.

Cinnamon Rolls Day - October 4

Famous cinnamon rolls are a symbol of the country. One of Sweden's national holidays is Kanelbulle Day. Without them, Sweden is not Sweden, like Ukraine without dumplings and borsch, and Italy without pizza.

Crayfish festival

It is August 17 that the ban on catching crayfish ends. The festival is accompanied by concerts and fireworks, parades, performances and music, as well as a tasting of national dishes. The Swedes celebrate a whole week, eating crayfish in large numbers.

St. Martin's Day

This holiday symbolizes the beginning of winter. On November 11, the roast goose is served on the table, and the next day the Filippov fast begins, one month long, during which the Swedes prepare for Christmas. An interesting fact - every Sunday, one candle is lit in the houses, and by the holiday, four candles are already burning in all the houses.

Presentation of the Nobel Prize

This national holiday in Sweden is the legacy of the millionaire Alfred Nobel, who left his fortune to those who have achieved success in the natural sciences, literature and world achievements. Held annually on December 10 in Stockholm.

New Year's and Christmas

What holiday in Sweden today is loved the most? You know the answer - this is Christmas, which takes place on December 25, as in all Catholic countries, in a quiet family circle. New Year is marked by stormy parties, fireworks and festivities. A cold does not cool the ardor and joy of fun. The breathtaking smells of baking and mulled wine are heard everywhere.

January 13 - St. Knut's Day

After the New Year, according to tradition, it is necessary to throw out the tree. The Russians may have this day in May, but the Swedes are more disciplined. New Year should bring novelty to all areas of life, only forward and not a step back!