I have arrived in Rattvik, THEE place to be for the mid summer festival in Sweden. Thanks to our friend Karin, director of the Stockholm Boychoir, we have been booked at Stiftsgarden, a retreat hostel in Rattvik. The boys are going to be in SUMMER HEAVEN. Where do I begin? As hostels go, the accommodations are five star. There is a terrific dining hall, chapel for rehearsals, lounges to hang out. The property sits on the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Silijan, one of Sweden’s largest. It also happens to be the site for all of the mid Summer festivities in Rattvik. How awesome that we will be there to witness and take part in this century old tradition of marking the longest day of the year. Oh yes, the boys will be dancing and singing around the maypole. We’ll be learning all of these customs come the new year as we prepare for this tour.
And talk about outdoor summer fun. There’s swimming in the lake, a trampoline, a football pitch (I don’t even know what that is), a volleyball area, a playground, canoes, table tennis, bicycles, kick scooters (I’m afraid to ask), hiking trails (Nordic walking poles provided!), and a jetty that, well, jetts out way into the lake.
We have a Saturday night concert planned in one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen – grand like a Cathedral but a charming Scandinavian way. We also will take part in an outdoor Sunday service.
Umm…hate to sound like the boys, but this is going to be AWWWWWWESOME.
More later…
Venue for KSB Concert in Rattvik
Aerial view of Stiftsgarden
The lake in Rattvik – swimming!
Jetty. Walk boys! Do not run. Walk!
Don’t know what this is – but KSB will find it!
