The sky at 1 am this morning – this is as dark as it gets this time of year. Photos by Robert Corkery.
The day was gray and cool, but the sun came out in the evening and it was gloriously perfect weather for the summer solstice. For the longest day of the year in Stockholm, the official sunrise time was 3.30 and the sunset was 10.08, but the actual reality is that the sky does not get completely dark this time of year, rather it changes colors from softer pinks and yellows to deep purples and reds. Every time you look, the sky is a bit more dramatic.
The sky at 10.30 last night.
As Robert and I sat on the balcony to watch the long sunset, we had to wear polar fleece. There was very little wind, so the hot air balloons flew over the city very slowly.
Friday is a national holiday here that’s officially called Midsommarafton or Midsummer eve. Basically, the holiday is to celebrate the onset of summer. Somehow it goes without saying that in this land of light and dark extremes, this is one of the most popular holidays, considered to be bigger than Christmas by many. And like most holidays in Sweden, it is an excuse to drink, sing and dance until early in the morning.
Comments on this entry are closed.