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National Geographic
14 hours ago
- National Geographic
What it's like to celebrate midsummer in Sweden
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). As my Swedish army bike rattles down the last hill, I place a hand on the basket to secure my Midsummer contributions: two king-size sausage rolls and a green bean and orange salad. The wide-open fields of southern Sweden's fertile Söderslätt plain, yellow with rapeseed flowers, stretch out to my right, while to my left, the Baltic Sea has just slipped out of sight, having been there for most of my 20-minute ride from the station. When I turn into the gravel drive, Malin and Christian's century-old brick villa, Källbacken, meaning 'hill with a spring', is already clattering with preparations. Malin and her seven-year-old daughter Edith have been out picking the flowers and greenery that will decorate the midsommarstång, or maypole, which they've laid out neatly on a table. I place my sausage rolls alongside and am immediately marshalled into scrubbing potatoes. For Malin and Christian, new potatoes, dug up only days before from the patch at the bottom of their garden, are central to the feast. 'Unlike Easter and Christmas, you don't normally have hot food at Midsummer: it's about potatoes, and herring,' Malin says. The preparations began months ago. 'We actually start preparing for Midsummer in February," she explains, describing the family's annual trip to buy early-maturing Swift potatoes, which then stand, packed in egg cartons, in the barn for three months before being planted in early May. It feels a fitting ritual ahead of this festival, which originated back when Sweden was an agrarian society. Midsummer celebrations not only marked the longest day of the year but welcomed in a new season of fertility. Many Swedes still head to the countryside to celebrate. Although this is my tenth Midsummer in Sweden, the celebrations I've been to have been low-key affairs eschewing tradition: a barbecue, games, but no maypole. Malin and Christian, however, go all in. As well as the potatoes, the couple provide home-grown chives, pickled herring, Christian's home-brewed IPA, and a bottle or two of snaps or akvavit, the Swedish spirit used for toasts and to accompany singing. This celebration is unusual, though, for the lack of heavy drinking – because there are many babies and small children present. Midsummer, more than Christmas or New Year's Eve, is when Swedes really let loose, taking full advantage of daylight that lasts until close to midnight, and singing and dancing until sunrise. Midsummer is when Swedes let loose, taking advantage of daylight that lasts until close to midnight, singing and dancing until sunrise. Photograph by Getty, Fredrik Nyman In previous years, Malin made her own pickled herring, but this year there are five varieties supplied by Abba (the fish-canning giant, rather than the sequin-clad Seventies four-piece), and she's also made gubbröra, meaning 'old bloke's mix'. It's a salty spread combining chopped, soused and spiced sprats, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise and dill. As I'm scrubbing potatoes, more people start to arrive and, as with every Midsummer I've ever been to, it's a mix of Swedes and internationals, the language bouncing between English and Swedish. By the time I come outside, the table is crammed with dishes. Magnus, a childhood friend of Christian's, has brought a silltårta, a traditional cake made of herring and creme fraiche thickened with gelatine and served on a butter and breadcrumb base. Someone else has brought the obligatory västerbottenpaj, a quiche flavoured with a pungent hard cheese from the far north, and there's another quiche with salmon and spinach. Then there are two enormous sourdough loaves, with dark, decorated crusts and some fröknäcke, a heavily seeded crispbread. The only classic dish missing is gravlax – salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill. Once the potatoes are fully cleaned, Malin throws a handful of dill into the pan and begins the boiling. Swedes take potatoes seriously. All will own a potato-tester, a metal spike the thickness of a needle, with a blunt end and a plastic handle, which is pushed into potatoes to judge their firmness. My wife, I tell Malin as we chitchat, is adamant that you must leave part of the spuds poking above the water, cook them at no more than a simmer, and steam them dry in a pan afterwards. But Malin has no time for such fussiness. 'I know people who, after half the boiling time, pour out some of the water and add new water, and things like that,' she says. 'But I just boil them – not for too long, since they're new potatoes – but I don't understand why it should be so difficult.' Once done, the potatoes are placed in a bowl outside to be served with butter and chopped dill and chives, and sliced hard-boiled eggs laid alongside. A Swedish Midsummer meal is often formal, with places neatly laid on a long table outside, folded napkins and garnished dishes. But this year, thanks to all the young guests, it's a come-and-go affair, with guests sitting down with different neighbours every time they refill their plates. The conversation touches on the shortage of another Midsummer essential: strawberries, which a bad harvest has pushed above 80 kronor (£6) a litre, if you can get hold of any at all. I pile three sorts of herring onto some crispbread, its saltiness setting off the sweet-and-sour bite of the pickle, and also indulge in some gubbröra, enjoying the cinnamon, allspice and sandalwood spicing of the sprats. The potatoes are firm, sweet and a little nutty, the perfect partner to the stronger flavours of the other dishes. I also take some västerbottenpaj, which is so rich with Västerbotten cheese — somewhere between a mature cheddar and a parmesan in strength — that I have to stop at a single helping. The silltårta, an old-fashioned addition even to this very traditional celebration, has a jelly-ish consistency that doesn't quite appeal to me, but goes down well with the other guests. After the meal is over, I join the children and some of the adults walking it off in the surrounding fields and picking flowers for the midsommarkransar, Midsummer crowns made of birch twigs woven together. When we return, we get to work erecting the maypole, about three metres tall, with a crossbar. While it's commonly believed to be a pagan fertility symbol, representing male genitalia, experts insist each year in Swedish newspapers that there's no evidence to back it up – but looking at it, I find it hard to see what else it might be. Soon, adults and children alike are holding hands, circling around the pole, pretending alternately to be a musician playing a violin, someone washing clothes, and, in the most raucous of the dances, jumping like a frog. The celebrations segue into a house party, and then, later in the evening, a barbecue. Christian pulls a pile of waste wood from the barn and lights a fire, which we sit around as the mothers and daughters go out once again to pick flowers. 'You have to jump seven fences and pick one flower in each field, and you're not allowed to speak to one another. You have to be quiet the whole time,' Malin explains of this last ritual. 'And then you have this small bouquet; you put it underneath your pillow and you're supposed to dream about who you're going to marry.' This is one part of the celebrations I can't partake in, but as I bed down on a mattress upstairs, I feel satisfied that I've truly welcomed the summer. Midsummer feasts to visit While most Swedes will celebrate Midsummer in friends' country or island homes, there are organised celebrations for visitors. In 2025, Midsummer falls on 21 June. Tällberg, Dalarna Dalarna county is renowned for traditional Midsummers, with folk costumes, folk music and dancing. Åkerblads Hotel, in Tällberg on Lake Siljan, serves a traditional Midsummer smörgåsbord, with herring, new potatoes and västerbottenpaj, after which you can go into town and take part in the celebrations. Alternatively, at Våmhus Gammelgård, an old farm maintained by Sweden's main conservation organisation, you'll be served kolbulle, a thick pancake with diced, salted or smoked pork. Ringsjön, Skåne Bosjökloster, a country house and former nunnery on the shores of Lake Ringsjön in Skåne, Sweden's southernmost county, puts on a lavish Midsummer spread. Expect all the classics, plus specialities containing ingredients foraged in nearby forests, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Once the buffet's over, join the dancing around a maypole erected on lawns leading down to the lakeshore – one of the most popular celebrations in Skåne. Småland Getnö Gård, a resort on Lake Åsnan in Småland, offers a traditional Midsummer buffet – served, untraditionally, after the maypole dances – including a strawberry cake prepared to a recipe handed down by the owner's grandmother. Most visitors stay over in the campsite or cabins. Fjäderholm In Stockholm, the archipelago is the place to celebrate, and Fjäderholm is the closest island, 30 minutes by ferry from the centre. Rökeriet Fjärderholmarna, a smokery, serves a traditional Midsummer buffet, with all the essentials and more. There's also live music and dancing around the maypole on the island. Väderö Storö The Väderöarnasor 'weather islands', a 35-minute ferry ride from Fjällbacka on the west coast, are the most far-flung islands off the Bohuslan coast. Väderöarnas Värdshus restaurant on Väderö Storö, the biggest island, lays on a Midsummer buffet, picking guests up from nearby Hamburgsund. Published in Issue 26 (winter 2024) of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK). 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Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Landslide & road cave-in hold up traffic as Mahabaleshwar gets triple-digit rainfall; Pune Ghat areas on red alert
Kolhapur/PuneNashik: Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide and road cave-in between Mahabaleshwar and Tapola in Satara district on Thursday, with Mahabaleshwar receiving 153mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 10.30am. Pune district's Ghat areas also experienced intense showers, with Tamhini and Lonavla recording 230mm and 187mm of rainfall, respectively. The public works department quickly cleared the debris and restored the traffic to Tapola, popularly known as 'Mini Kashmir of Maharashtra'. Satara district disaster management head Devidas Tamhane said, "Satara district is receiving heavy rainfall over the last few days. On Thursday morning, a landslide occurred near the Chikhali Shade area in the ghat section, due to which a major portion of the road between Mahabaleshwar and Tapola caved in. " In Nashik, Godavari river swelled for the first time this monsoon after heavy rainfall lashed the city, with 113.1mm of rain recorded in 24 hours. The river's water level rose to waist-high at the iconic 'Dutondya Maruti' idol, submerging small temples at Ramkund and Godaghat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall for the Ghat section and a yellow alert for Pune city on Friday, coinciding with the annual Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhis' arrival in the city. The palkhi procession to Pandharpur via Pune is a revered annual tradition in Maharashtra, where devotees gather to pay homage to saints like Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Kurvande in Pune's Maval taluka recorded 219mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period, followed by Girivan (160mm), Nimgir (116mm), Bhor (109mm), Malin (69mm) and Talegaon (65.5mm). IMD cited two factors for the increased rainfall. "The two factors are a trough extending from northwest Uttar Pradesh to north Gujarat, influenced by a cyclonic circulation over northeast Rajasthan, and an offshore trough at sea level running along the coast from north Konkan to north Kerala," an official said. "As a result, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is very likely over Konkan and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra. Besides, extremely heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places in north Konkan," the official said. Kolhapur/PuneNashik: Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide and road cave-in between Mahabaleshwar and Tapola in Satara district on Thursday, with Mahabaleshwar receiving 153mm of rainfall in 24 hours ending 10.30am. Pune district's Ghat areas also experienced intense showers, with Tamhini and Lonavla recording 230mm and 187mm of rainfall, respectively. The public works department quickly cleared the debris and restored the traffic to Tapola, popularly known as 'Mini Kashmir of Maharashtra'. Satara district disaster management head Devidas Tamhane said, "Satara district is receiving heavy rainfall over the last few days. On Thursday morning, a landslide occurred near the Chikhali Shade area in the ghat section, due to which a major portion of the road between Mahabaleshwar and Tapola caved in. " In Nashik, Godavari river swelled for the first time this monsoon after heavy rainfall lashed the city, with 113.1mm of rain recorded in 24 hours. The river's water level rose to waist-high at the iconic 'Dutondya Maruti' idol, submerging small temples at Ramkund and Godaghat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall for the Ghat section and a yellow alert for Pune city on Friday, coinciding with the annual Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar palkhis' arrival in the city. The palkhi procession to Pandharpur via Pune is a revered annual tradition in Maharashtra, where devotees gather to pay homage to saints like Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Kurvande in Pune's Maval taluka recorded 219mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period, followed by Girivan (160mm), Nimgir (116mm), Bhor (109mm), Malin (69mm) and Talegaon (65.5mm). IMD cited two factors for the increased rainfall. "The two factors are a trough extending from northwest Uttar Pradesh to north Gujarat, influenced by a cyclonic circulation over northeast Rajasthan, and an offshore trough at sea level running along the coast from north Konkan to north Kerala," an official said. "As a result, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places is very likely over Konkan and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra. Besides, extremely heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places in north Konkan," the official said.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Island legend shares dirty villa bathroom secrets girls had to go through
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island alumni Malin Andersson is not a fan of the current series and has shared a few behind-the-scenes secrets from her time on the ITV2 dating show Love Island alum Malin Andersson, who appeared on the show back in 2016 for their second series, is not holding back when it comes to her thoughts on the current series. Now 32, the body positivity campaigner and mental health advocate says she watches the new Islanders with a very different lens. 'I'm 32 so I'm a similar age to them on there,' she says, 'but I can see through it all completely now.' Malin, who famously left the villa after being dumped on day 25 has since distanced herself from the Love Island world. 'I don't talk to any Islanders at all,' she admits. 'The girls lower their bar because of the show and that's what makes it toxic. They're not understanding their worth.' She's also not afraid to share some unfiltered behind-the-scenes secrets. 'I was constipated at one point in the villa because I held it in for ages,' she laughs. ' Olivia Buckland [now Bowen] did the same. We used to go on poo watch and made sure no guys were near the toilet. One of us would guard, and Cara De La Hoyde [now Massey] helped.' Though she doesn't stay in touch with former castmates, Malin clearly remembers the realities behind the glam – and wants this year's Islanders to remember their value. 'It's easy to get lost in the show,' she says. 'But you've got to know your worth.' Last week, Malin spoke out about hitting "rock bottom" after her time on the ITV2 dating show and called for it to be axed. "Love Island. It starts tonight...I'm quite shocked this show is still on air to be honest," she said in an emotional statement on her Instagram Stories. "I was on it 8 years ago, and in that 8 years I've turned pain into purpose and used my platform for good. Within the 8 years that have passed I've had to hit rockbottom to find a strength I never knew I had - and awaken to the truth of who we are. "However what young Malin didn't know was, how dangerous a show like this is - portraying toxicity as love, unrealistic body standards and women who maybe broken inside but wanting love for the wrong reasons - and thinking fame will save them.. and as for the men - similar things." Malin added that she wants a show that helps contestants"find love for ourselves first" before finding it in someone else. She added: "We don't need a show making women especially feel bad about themselves - or fuelling eating disorders. That's outdated now. It's not it." ITV has introduced extensive duty of care procedures during the show's run, with contestants being offered comprehensive psychological support before, during and after filming on the show. They are also asked to pause any posting to their social media accounts while they're on the show and to complete video training and guidance on language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, microaggressions, mutually respectful behaviour in relationships and behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercing behaviour. The new series of Love Island began last week with a new line-up of singles stepping into the ITV2 villa and there has already been two shock dumpings and six bombshells.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Island legend calls for show to be axed after 'hitting rock bottom'
Love Island star Malin Andersson has hit out at the ITV2 show amid its return, with the ex contestant revealing that she 'hit rock bottom' after taking part in 2016 Love Island star Malin Andersson has said that she's "shocked" that the show is still on the air after making her debut eight years ago, claiming that it's "dangerous". Malin competed on the second series of Love Island back in 2016, entering the villa on the first day before being dumped after four weeks. Last night, Malin spoke out about hitting "rock bottom" after her time on the ITV2 dating show and called for it to be axed. "Love Island. It starts tonight...I'm quite shocked this show is still on air to be honest," she said in an emotional statement on her Instagram Stories. "I was on it 8 years ago, and in that 8 years I've turned pain into purpose and used my platform for good. Within the 8 years that have passed I've had to hit rockbottom to find a strength I never knew I had - and awaken to the truth of who we are. "However what young Malin didn't know was, how dangerous a show like this is - portraying toxicity as love, unrealistic body standards and women who maybe broken inside but wanting love for the wrong reasons - and thinking fame will save them.. and as for the men - similar things." Malin added that she wants a show that helps contestants "find love for ourselves first" before finding it in someone else. She added: "We don't need a show making women especially feel bad about themselves - or fuelling eating disorders. That's outdated now. It's not it." Love Island has reached out to ITV for comment. ITV has introduced extensive duty of care procedures during the show's run, with contestants being offered comprehensive psychological support before, during and after filming on the show. They are also asked to pause any posting to their social media accounts while they're on the show and to complete video training and guidance on language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, microaggressions, mutually respectful behaviour in relationships and behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercing behaviour. The new series of Love Island began this week, with a new line-up of singles stepping into the ITV2 villa. Fans have taken to social media to predict which star will be first to leave the villa, with many suspecting that Shakira will choose to couple up with Blu - leaving Alima vulnerable to being dumped. One viewer feared: "I'm thinking that Alima could get dumped because neither of them wants to stay in their couple, so Shakira could take Blu off Alima's hands."
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island star calls for show to be AXED – eight years after hitting rock bottom on it
She took to her Instagram Stories to share a powerful statement hours before the new series kicked off Axe to grind Love Island star calls for show to be AXED – eight years after hitting rock bottom on it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island star Malin Andersson has called for the show to be AXED - eight years after hitting rock bottom on it. Malin, 32, said it's 'shocking' the ITV2 staple is still on-air and accused it of fuelling eating disorders and glorifying toxic relationships. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Love Island star Malin Andersson has called for the show to be AXED Credit: Instagram She took to her Instagram Stories to share a powerful statement hours before the new series kicked off, nearly a decade after she appeared on it. Malin wrote: "Love Island. It starts tonight.. I'm quite shocked this show is still on air to be honest. "I was on it 8 years ago, and in that 8 years I've turned pain into purpose and used my platform for good. "Within the 8 years that have passed I've had to hit rockbottom to find a strength I never knew I had - and awaken to the truth of who we are. "However what young Malin didn't know was, how dangerous a show like this is - portraying toxicity as love, unrealistic body standards and women who maybe broken inside but wanting love for the wrong reasons - and thinking fame will save them.. and as for the men - similar things. "We need a show on how to show the world what it looks like to HEAL WITHIN & find love for ourselves first, then finding it in someone else. "We don't need a show making women especially feel bad about themselves - or fuelling eating disorders. That's outdated now. It's not it." Malin found fame on the second series of Love Island in 2016, spending 24 days in the villa where she was partnered with Terry Walsh. Though she's synonymous with the show, Malin has made it known before she isn't a fan. She previously told Bobby Norris on Fubar Radio: "I've not watched it. I haven't watched a single episode. I didn't even watch my own series. I ran my fingers through my hair and found another bald patch… I know what caused it to fall out, says Malin Andersson "From what I can see the format is the same and it's like the luggage belt at the airport arrivals and they're just spinning out the same characters. It's the same old bag every time. It sounds really bad.' She continued: 'I think Love Island has had its day a long time ago. And I think for the younger generation, there could be more put out there. I think all we're seeing now is a lot of dating shows.' Mum Malin recalled her obsession in the villa with viewers' perception of her appearance. She likened the experience to Jim Carrey's classic film, The Truman Show, in which his character is the central figure in a reality construct he has no idea about. 'I remember being in the villa and I kept asking the producers 'are there any bad comments about my weight?'" she said. "That's all I cared about. 'Are there any comments calling me fat?' That's all I remember asking them. "They would say no to everything. You're in the Truman show in there. It is literally like a bubble. No time, they tell you when to eat, when to sleep. It's such a different false reality." ITV has been contacted for comment. Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Love Island's duty of care Pre Filming and Filming - Registered mental health professional engaged throughout the whole series - from pre-filming to aftercare. - Thorough pre-filming psychological and medical assessments including assessments by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander's own GP to check medical history. - Potential Islanders are required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production's ability to provide a suitable environment for them. - Managing cast expectations: detailed explanations both verbally and in writing of the implications, both positive and negative, of taking part in the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and reinforced within the contract so it is clear. - Cast are told they should consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show and work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them, to ensure they feel it is right for them. - Senior Team on the ground have received training in Mental Health First Aid. - A welfare team solely dedicated to the Islanders both during the show and after. Aftercare - Bespoke training on dealing with social media and advice on finance and adjusting to life back home. - A minimum of eight therapy sessions will be offered to each Islander when they return home. - Proactive contact with Islanders for a period of 14 months after the series in which they have appeared has ended, with additional help provided where applicable. - We encourage Islanders to secure management to represent them after the show and manage them should they choose to take part in other TV shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities. ITV's support for Mental Health In 2019 ITV selected mental health as the main focus for its on air health campaigns aimed at its viewers. ITV partnered with Mind and YoungMinds, alongside SAMH in Scotland, and Ant and Dec launched the Britain Get Talking campaign in Britain's Got Talent, with the aim of encouraging 10m people to take action to support their mental or physical health by 2023. Since it launched, Britain Get Talking has resulted in over 100 million more meaningful conversations, and in 2022 ITV announced a further target of encouraging 200 million actions for better health by the end of 2023. Alongside Britain Get Talking, ITV has a mental wellbeing initiative aimed at a younger demographic in partnership with mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). In 2022 it encouraged 1.8m young people to take action to feel better able to cope with life's ups and downs through the campaign 'What Gets You Through'. ITV's Mental Health Advisory Group, chaired by Ruth Davidson with members including CEOs of mental health charities Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, provides guidance and support on all aspects of ITV, and STV's, approach to mental health and wellbeing among its people, production teams, participants in its shows and audiences. ITV also hosted the Mental Health in the Media conference in March 2023, bringing writers, producers, duty of care professionals, brands and broadcasters together to explore best practice around mental wellbeing on screen and behind the screens. 4 She said it's 'shocking' the ITV2 staple is still on-air Credit: Instagram 4 Malin accused it of fuelling eating disorders and glorifying toxic relationships Credit: Instagram
