National Eve?

It is the national holiday of Sweden tomorrow. The tradition to celebrate is rather new. I ask myself whether this is the cause why the little celebration we have is on the day, not the eve before.

Swedish tradition is to celebrate annual days on the evening before the actually day of celebration. We celebrate New Year’s Eve, not New Year’s Day; Easter Eve more than Easter Day; Valborg Eve, not Valborg Day; Midsummer Eve, not Midsummer Day; and Christ,as Eve, not Christmas Day.

Why do we not celebrate Sweden today, on National Eve? Perhaps we should? Perhaps this would make the celebration feel more real, and not artificial? I do not have the answers, but maybe future will tell.