Before I lived in Sweden, spring was a time of year that I looked forward to and enjoyed. End of story.
Now that I’ve lived in Sweden, I have a completely different relationship with spring. Spring is renewal! Spring is rebirth! Spring is a season in which winter clothing is joyfully and deliberately shed, one layer at a time! Spring is something to be savored and rejoiced in.
In that vein, I first learned about “vårtecken,” or “signs of spring,” about this time last year, when I was coming out of my first Dreadful Swedish Winter. I was instantly enchanted by the concept.
Vårtecken lead to “vårkänslor,” or the feelings of happiness brought about by the coming of spring, and therefore I am all totally obsessed with finding and cataloging different signs of spring in order to reassure myself that yes, winter is really and truly giving way to spring!
Normally, people understand the word “vårtecken” as including a variety of spring flowers, different birds returning from their winter residences on the Mediterranean (jealous), and an obsessive interest in the weather/hours of sunlight.
One thing I just learned from the Sustainability blog here at Sweden.se is that you can actually become an official, registered observer of spring (that’s “Phenology Observer,” to you) and report your findings back to the Swedish Meteorological Institute, which is totally awesome. If I knew anything about nature, which (sadly) I don’t, I would be so there.
Leaving tradition behind, however…
I’m going to go ahead and take a quantum leap in the common understanding of vårtecken and say that there are way more signs of spring than just those found in nature. In celebrity gossip terminology (a field of knowledge in which I have a deep and abiding interest), sprouting crocuses and budding wildflowers would be the “A-list” signs of spring. Everyone recognizes them and can name their last five romantic partners gets excited about them.
But what about the B-Listers? They’re people signs of spring, too! You know, the rash of bedazzled twigs and seasonal soft drinks and (ahem) important birthdays!
Since I am well and truly obsessed with spring (thanks a lot, Swedification), I just had to make a list, and here it is, the “B-List Signs of Spring.”
Feathers, feathers, everywhere! Photos: Kate Reuterswärd
The return of the feathers
I seriously don’t understand the feathers thing.
Imagine this: brightly colored fake feathers glued to very thin tree branches. Ok! Are you with me so far?
That’s it.
Everyone decorates their homes and storefronts with these things, and I just don’t get it. Of course, I’ve tried to ask people why exactly the feathers have become a springtime tradition, and no one knows why they do this or what it means.
That’s perfectly acceptable when it leads you to ceremoniously eating large quantities of waffles once a year. When it leads you to bedazzling your home with what looks like a kindergarten arts and crafts project run amok every spring, however, I think it’s time to reexamine the tradition.
Apparently Julmust by any other name smells just as sweet. Photo: Kate Reuterswärd
Påskmust
Oh, Påskmust, Påskmust, comes only onceeeeeeee a yearrrrrr!! But does anyone really care?
As far as I can tell, Påskmust is the exact same thing as Julmust, but with a rooster and a yellow label instead of Santa and a red label. It’s a rootbeer-y, kind of fruity and thick dark soda. Julmust is Christmas-themed, and Påskmust is Easter-themed.
I’ve tried Julmust a couple of times out of curiosity, but it’s not really my thing, and since sources tell me that Påskmust is not different in any way that can be detected by human faculties, I’m skipping it. BUT! It’s a sign of spring nonetheless.
Fresh fruit! On sale! And they’re not apples!
Apples and bananas are great and all, but ive been eatimg them pretty much nonstop since November, so I’m ready for a break. And then… like a gift from the gods... fresh strawberries went on sale.
Bliss! Spring must be on its way.
The royal asparagus. Photo: Kate Reuterswärd
White asparagus
This isn’t as big a deal in Sweden as it is in Germany and Austria, but since I used to live in Austria, my “signs of spring” radar goes crazy whenever I’m in the presence of white asparagus, which I was yesterday. In Germany and Austria, the white asparagus season is celebrated with as much gusto as semla season or Cinnamon Bun Day is in Sweden, if not more.
Everywhere you go, giant signs scream SPARGELZEIT!! (“asparagus time”) and advertise each restaurant’s asparagus specialty of the day. It’s a sight to see. There’s not as much hype here, but one of my Swedish students taking Business English told me that she and her husband and some friends make an annual pilgrimage to northern Germany during this time just to partake in SPARGELZEIT (I’m sorry, but when I think in German it just comes out in capital letters).
So, sparris (“asparagus” in Swedish), SPARGEL, my fast-cooking friend, you are totally in: welcome to the B-List Signs of Spring Club.
Well hello, Mr. Spring. Photo: Kate Reuterswärd
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Look at this happy springtime man. Rolling up his sleeves! A slight tan on his face! Brightly colored foliage in the background!
This man is not selling you warm and cozy comfort. This man is selling you sunny days! Cool breezes! Picnics in the park! You lead the way, Mr. Poster Man! Bring me spring!!!
A very early morning birthday cake. Photo: Simon Reuterswärd
My birthday
Of course, I have to include one slightly idiosyncratic sign of spring: my birthday!
March 21 is the spring equinox (equal parts night and day), the first day of spring (don’t listen to anyone who says it’s March 20, they’re not to be trusted), and my birthday!!!
I started the day off in the Swedish way thanks to my wonderful husband, with coffee and cake for breakfast. Then my coworkers surprised me by taking me out to lunch. Then, in typical Kate fashion, I’m doing my best to spread out the birthday celebrations by having a family party on the weekend, a day trip on Sunday (Simon’s present to me) and going out to dinner with some friends next weekend.
Did I mention my birthday mantra? I don’t really believe in birthdays, I believe in birth months. In any case, March 21 has come and gone, and that makes it official: spring is here.
