Visitors to the Sweden Pavilion will be surrounded by an ocean of flowers because florists are decorating the pavilion in celebration of midsummer today, one of Swedes' most beloved cultural festivals.
Gunnar Kaj, Sweden's most famous floral designer and florist Elaine Jansson, are turning the pavilion into a garden with garlands and daisy chains. They will make a maypole with flower, leaf and garlands, a symbol of midsummer festival. Some visitors to the pavilion will be invited to join in the decoration.
According to old sayings, nature was full of supernatural powers during midsummer, said Gunnar Kaj. "To collect all this powerful magic in a daisy chain was thought to give strength and luck for the future. That is a tradition we want to bring to Shanghai."
A raft of programs is on the pavilion's menu, including the SymbioCity Forum in July, the family musical “Pippi Longstocking” in August and forums in August and October. Swedish Crown Princess Victoria is expected to visit the pavilion in October.
