For Swedes living in the United States, few traditions evoke a stronger sense of home and nostalgia than gathering around a maypole and singing the classic midsommar songs.
On Friday, June 20, the Embassy of Sweden hosted its first-ever Midsummer celebration at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The free, open-air event drew a large crowd and featured live music, trivia, and the traditional maypole dance. Midsummer, Sweden’s solstice celebration, marks one of the country’s most cherished holidays.
Several dignitaries attended, including Urban Ahlin, Swedish Ambassador to the United States, and Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Minister for Migration and former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Ahlin opened the evening with personal reflections on his childhood visits to Washington, recalling his fascination with the John Ericsson Memorial—a tribute to the Swedish-American engineer who designed the ironclad USS Monitor during the U.S. Civil War.
“I felt like a globetrotter coming to this wonderful town. Being here, lots of politics. And then I saw this monument of John Ericsson, and I [was] like, ‘wow, he was here long before I was a globetrotter,’” Ahlin said. “‘Oh, he invented the ironclad warship Monitor. Oh, he played an important role in the Civil War. And he has a monument at the National Mall.’”
Ericsson’s contributions led to the designation of the Monitor’s resting place as the first national marine sanctuary. Ahlin continued: “And [they] decided in 1916 of the American Congress that we should celebrate John Ericsson at that monument down there—that’s worth an applause.”
Ahlin used the anecdote to underscore the longstanding ties between Sweden and the United States, emphasizing why it was fitting to hold Sweden’s most iconic festival in such a symbolic location.
Minister Stenergard echoed the sentiment. “Swedes and Americans are building a shared future every day based on honest work and open arms. Together, we are pioneering the future,” she said. “This friendship is worth celebrating, and I am beyond happy to do it with all of you here today.”
Following the speeches, organizers led attendees to the maypole, placed next to the stage, where people of all ages danced in circles and sang traditional songs—including one that involves mimicking pig sounds: kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack.
Interactive activities surrounded the theater. Guests could scan a QR code to take a Midsummer trivia quiz via Google Forms. Those who answered all questions correctly were awarded small souvenirs, such as wallets and midsommarkrans (flower crowns). Additional stations offered Swedish candy and DIY crown-making kits.
In between performances, participants competed in on-stage trivia games about Sweden. Winners received gift baskets courtesy of Swedish furniture giant IKEA.
Throughout the evening, musical performances ranged from Swedish folk and choral arrangements to jazz and pop. Acts included Lillalag Choir, Washington’s Spelmanslag, and a Swedish jazz trio featuring vocalist Tina Hashemi.
The night’s headliner was Gunhild Carling, known as the “Queen of Swing.” Her high-energy set included American jazz standards, an original song she said she once performed for King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and a lively crowd-led New Orleans style-parade.
But the most anticipated moment came when Carling performed on three trumpets simultaneously, a feat highlighted repeatedly by the event’s hosts. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and impromptu swing dancing.
The evening closed with a group sing-along of ABBA’s “Thank You for the Music.” Although a technical glitch cut the song short, embassy staff and attendees finished the chorus together, using phone flashlights to light the stage and honor the organizers.