Today's Name Day: Första Maj 🇸🇪 Valborg
Valborg (Walpurgis Night), celebrated annually on April 30, is a major Swedish tradition marking the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It features large community bonfires, choral singing, and spring speeches to welcome warmer weather. Often called "the last of April," it is a vibrant public celebration popular with students and families. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Aspects of Valborg
- Bonfires (Valborgsmässoeldar): Originally intended to ward off evil spirits and predators, these bonfires now serve as a focal point for communities gathering to celebrate.
- Spring Traditions: Celebrations often include traditional choir singing, lighting bonfires at dusk, and speeches welcoming the new season.
- Student Celebrations: In university cities like Uppsala and Lund, Valborg is massive, featuring student cap-donning ceremonies and picnics.
- Origins: Named after Saint Walpurga, a German abbess, the night combines Christian, pagan, and local folklore traditions.
- Date: Observed on the night of April 30, leading into May 1 (a public holiday in Sweden)
- Only partial information.
Today was not a good day. I never got any sleep overnight. Even with a sleeping pill. I tried everything ---- laying in bed, laying on the sofa. No sleep. I had 2 cans of V8 Energy. Kept me awake. Somehow,
My pain increased all night & all today. Hurting in odd places. So awful.
I worked at the SVAFC today. Same show. Nothing new. No visitors. But I had my iPad & got all caught up on my soaps.
About 3pm it started to rain. I was worried about walking to my car on slick wet sidewalks so I moved my car to be near the gallery. After my big fall I am terrified of wet pavement.
Today at the Old Mill they had hundreds of kids from the middle of Kansas come in & participate in people showing their art or animals or dancing or singing or cooking or whatever. Looked like it went well, And the rain started just as it ended. The kids got tours of the Mill but it was not turned on. They could just look. It is a fun day.
Supper was at Jalisco's. I was too tired to be very friendly. But it also hurt that they had all had 2 big parties & I was left out. No biggie. Just how it is now. I no longer care.
I was just out to feed & water my babies. I think I counted all 7 but it was dark. Sharing a collage of 4 photos of them.
Unreal. So much for lowering fuel costs. And will only get worse & worse.
Two kitties this morning,
Love Nico
Tomte #1 ---- Ron Stamm. If I remember his name right. He passed away in Florida.
Tomte #2. Don Weddle. Also no longer with us.
Kisse this morning when I was trying to sleep.
Love this photo. A fave of mine.
