每种文化都有世代相传的仪式,在斯堪的纳维亚地区就有仲夏日庆典的传统。早在中世纪,当地居民就用树叶和鲜花把五月柱装饰起来,向神明祈求好收成。瑞典的每个城镇都有自己的仲夏日派对,城镇越大,派对的规模也越大,不过说心里话,小地方的派对更有味道。但如今的仲夏日聚会越来越不像是为上苍举办,更类似一场趣味十足的花园派对。尽管如此,这还是个独特的狂欢,对一个伴着这种仪式长大成人的美国公民来说更加难得。 There are rituals from generation to generation in every culture, and there is a tradition of Midsummer Day celebrations in Scandinavia. As early as the Middle Ages, locals decorated the May column with leaves and flowers and prayed for good harvests to the gods. Every town in Sweden has its own Midsummer day party. The bigger the town, the larger the party, but the truth is that parties in smaller places are more flavorful. But today’s Midsummer Day gathering is less and less like a god-holding party, more akin to a fun-filled garden party. However, this is a unique revelry and is even more rare for a U.S. citizen who accompanies such a ritual.