In Sweden something called Walpurgis Night is celebrated this weekend. Bonfires are lit, historically it was to scare away the witches and celebrate the arrival of Spring at the same time. Each town and city has at least one big bonfire and it's also a good way to get rid of junk.
On the evening of April 30, bonfires are lit all over Sweden to mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People gather by the light and heat of the fire to listen to choirs performing a number of traditional spring songs - quite ironic if, in the meantime, sleet and snow are doing their best to put the fire out. Celebrating Walpurgis Night on the eve of the feast of St Walburga was originally a German custom. Walburga, who was an abbess in Germany in the 8th century, has become Sweden's Valborg. Lighting bonfires, especially in the eastern parts of Sweden, is an ancient custom: it was done to scare off predators before the cattle and sheep were let out to graze but also to protect people against the witches believed to be gathering on this very night to worship the devil. Especially in university towns like Uppsala and Lund, the traditions surrounding Walpurgis Night are strong and include choral singing, speeches and wearing white-topped graduation caps. The bonfires also offer a suitable occasion to get rid of all of the winter debris.
http://www.sweden.se/templates/cs/CommonPage____11224.aspx
In Sweden something called Walpurgis Night is celebrated on the evening of April 30. Bonfires are lit to mark the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Historically it was to scare away the witches and celebrate the arrival of Spring at the same time. Each town and city has at least one big bonfire and it's also a good way to get rid of junk.
People gather by the light and heat of the fire to listen to traditional spring songs and choral singing. Especially in university towns like Uppsala and Lund, the traditions surrounding Walpurgis Night are strong and include choral singing, speeches and wearing white-topped graduation caps.
The feast of St. Walburga was originally a German custom. Walburga was an abbess in Germany in the 8th century. Lighting bonfires, especially in the eastern parts of Sweden is an ancient custom. It was done to scare off predators before the cattle and sheep were let out to graze but also to protect people against the witches. On this very night they were believed to be gathering to worship the devil.
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