Valborg

Today is Valborg – or Walpurgis – in Sweden. Walpurgis was originally celebrated by Viking to hasten the arrival of spring and ensure fertility of their crops and livestock. They would do this by lighting huge bonfires to scare away evil spirits and predators.

The holiday name comes from a very different source. The name Walpurgis came from Saint Walpurga, a nun who was known to speak out against witchcraft and sorcery. She was canonized on May 1^st, 779. Since that date was so close to the Vikings festivals the celebrations have later been celebrated as a combined holiday.

Just like Swedish Easter, this holiday feels a little like the American Halloween. It is said to be a night when the witches ride on their broomsticks through the sky, and the natural world clashes with the super natural.

St Walpurgis is celebrated by the Scandinavians as well as other parts of Europe like Check Republic, Estonia and Germany.

Traditions may vary some in different parts of Sweden. Today Walpurgis eve is celebrated to bring on spring. There are usually big festivals and bonfires (called “Majbrasa”) on the eve of the day.  Song is a big part of many Swedish holidays – and during Walpurgis traditional songs about spring are sung throughout the country. Swedes also raise their flags on this day to pay respect to the king and display their patriotism. As with most holidays there is of course plenty of beer and aquavit.

What is "Välling"?

Now that LL has turned one year old we are trying to wean her of formula. I think she will be ok skipping it during the day, but her morning and bedtime bottles will probably be difficult. For some reason it has made me think think about all the times my mom aske - are you giving her "Välling"?

I sort of know what it is, but since I have never come across it here in the US I did some investigating. It is translated in many different ways - pap, gruel, porridge - but I not sure if any of them are right. I think the best translation is from Semper, and they simply call it "milk based cereal drink". Some Swedes seem to think it is the same thing as formula, but this is not true. Formula is just "modersmjölkersättning", "Välling" is a lot thicker. It is milk and flour that has been enriched with vitamins and minerals.

So what do you do if you want to feed your baby "Välling"? There are three different ways I can think of. First, if you absolutely want real Swedish "Välling" you can purchase it from one of the many on-line stores that ship Swedish products all over the world. One that comes to mind is Butik-Hemlangtan.

You can also make it yourself, it would not be enriched with the right vitamins and minerals then of course.


Or, you can make it from readily available ingredients from US stores. How I would do this is purchase  formula and mix it like you usually would (or buy it ready made), then mix that with cereal until you get the right consistency you are looking for.


I guess you could have a friend or family member in Sweden send it to you - but then you run in to the risk that it will be tampered with by customs.

Me - I just skipped the "Välling" and went straight to thick cereal and pureed foods.

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Swedish Americann Mamma will be my new blog about all the Swedish-American things I come across as a mom or otherwise.