April 30^th marks the official end of winter and declares the beginning of spring with an evening of grand bonfires where smoke and choir music waft through the air. This celebration originally hails from Germany. Walburga, the German abbess in the 8^th century, has now become Sweden’s Valborg.

Lighting bonfires in Sweden is nothing new, especially in the eastern parts where as an ancient custom it was done to scare off predators making it safe for sheep and cattle to graze. It was also part of a custom protecting people against witches, who were believed to gather on this very night in worship of satan.

Traditions surrounding Walpurgis Night are particularly strong in university towns like Uppsala and Lund. Instead of witches, you’ll find choral singing, speeches and students wearing white-topped graduation caps. It is simply a time to sing out the winter and sing in the spring and of course, get rid all the winter debris!