Yule Fest Event Information
Yule Fest in Junction City, Oregon, this December 6th-7th will…
This is the fifth pin in the current series of Dancing Couples and features dancers from Sweden. This pin commemorates the 63rd Junction City Scandinavian Festival. The pin features a white ring around the dancing couple with “Sweden” in a scroll at the top of the pin and “Junction City Scandinavian Festival 2023” at the bottom. Both are in black lettering.
The couple are wearing what is known in Sweden as the Swedish National Costume or “Drakten”. Marta Jorgensen developed the women’s costume in 1903. The costume gained popularity after Queen Silvia wore it in 1983 and since then has been considered the official national costume. Currently you will see the royal princesses and queen Silvia wearing this costume at official occasions including National Day. The man’s costume was developed in 1982 and mimics the woman’s colors.
The costumes feature the colors of the Swedish flag. The woman’s costume has a blue skirt and bodice and a yellow apron. The man’s costume has a blue vest, white long sleeved shirt, yellow knickers, white socks with blue tassels on the blue garters. Both dancers wear silver brooches at their necks, black shoes and embroidered daisies.
The couple is shown in a pose doing the Hambo, which is both a traditional and popular dance step in Sweden and is the National dance of Sweden. The Hambo is a type of Polska that was introduced in the late 19th Century. It is done in 3⁄4 time and dancers can also waltz to the music. There are multiple variations including turning the lady under, turning with the ladies hands over her head, both hands behind the women’s back, and spinning opposite one another.
These membership pins are available online by clicking here and in-person at the Windmill during the Scandinavian Festival.
And special thanks to Jeanne Simpson for helping with the artwork on this pin.
