Sunny Midsummer marred by violence

Sweden celebrated "the warmest Midsummer of the Millennium", reported Aftonbladet.

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This year's celebrations took place on the warmest Midsummer's Eve since 1998, contrasting with the pattern of windy and rainy parties marked over the past few years.

With temperatures in the mid-twenties across much of the country, the water in many lakes was warm enough for revellers to take a dip.

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute said that nearly the who country had enjoyed fine Midsummer weather. Still, temperatures did not reach the highs of the warmest Midsummer on record. That honour goes to the 35 degrees recorded in 1935 in Sveg, Härjedalen.

One family that was taking no chances with the Swedish climate was King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. They ensured sun-drenched celebrations by making their way to their villa in St Maxime, on the French Riviera, where the royal couple spent the afternoon swimming in a warm Mediterranean.

Princess Madeleine, however, stayed behind in Sweden where she celebrated in traditional Swedish manner with friends outside the town of Trosa.

Madeleine and friends sat outside, eating from the barbecue on the grass in front of typical Swedish red and white wooden houses.

Police in most parts of the country reported a peaceful Midsummer night. But amid the parties and feasting, seven rapes and five stabbings were reported up and down the country.

One of those raped was a fifteen-year old girl in Sala, who was attacked by an unknown man on a cycle path.

In Västerås a man whose throat was cut has undergone an operation during the night.

A twenty-year old man is thought to have drowned whilst canoeing on a lake in Värmland.


Front Page photo:Fredrik Sweger/ Lou B. | Copyright: Fredrik Sweger / Swedish Institute | Source: imagebank.sweden.se