I was surprised, too. The women my age take part in a contest. A uh, a dancing contest. It's like an endurance test. The last one standing is crowned May Queen. And that was me. [She sounds quiet, confused. Like she's trying to be happy about it but she's not sure how.]

In Hårga, where we were, there are a lot of parts to celebrate Midsommar. They only let outsiders take part every ninety years or so. A lot of dancing, a lot of drinking. Big meals. They were very welcoming, actually. They'd let me into the bakehouse and show me how to make the handraised pies. [There's a faint smile, but it gradually fades. Thinking about the shadowplay she had seen here. Thinking about the elders. The child in chains.]

Not... all the parts were pleasant. But since I'm getting my masters in psychology I tried to put myself in their shoes. Tried to see the reasoning behind some of the traditions.