For Swedes, today isn’t just any day. It’s the day they celebrate National Day.
But Sweden doesn’t have an anniversary of independence or revolutions to commemorate unlike other countries. Instead, they see National Day less as a time to celebrate their ancestors and more as a time to relax and have a day off.
Why does Sweden celebrate National Day?
National Day in Sweden marks the anniversary of Gustav Vasa’s election as King of Sweden in 1523, signifying the end of the union with Denmark. This year, it marks the 500th anniversary.
Vasa is said to be one of the most famous kings, and is often seen as the founder of Sweden as a national state.
When a wave of national romanticism swept in across Sweden in the late 19th and early 20th century, the Swedes didn’t want to be upstaged by Norway .
Artur Hazelius, founder of iconic Stockholm outdoor museum Skansen, decided to throw a patriotic party in honour of his native country.
The day only officially became the National Day of Sweden in 1983. It was slow to take off, mostly because most Swedes don’t really feel a strong connection to June 6th.
It has been a public holiday since 2005. In 2004, the Swedish parliament voted to make it a public holiday, to encourage more people to celebrate it. But this wasn’t an easy feat, the decision took decades to reach until it was finally implemented in 2005.
Groups are also lobbying for the country to have an official national pastry, a national dish, and for the key-fiddle (nyckelharpa) to be made the national instrument.
How does Sweden celebrate National Day?
Normally, the King and Queen of Sweden take part in a ceremony at Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum, on the National Day. The yellow and blue Swedish flag is paraded and children wear traditional peasant costume, presenting the royal couple with bouquets of summer flowers.
The public is encouraged to visit large parts of Stockholm Palace all day, with the usual entry fees waived.
The country also holds special ceremonies to welcome new Swedish citizens to the country on this day.
