Crayfish party

A crayfish party, known as kräftskiva, is a cherished tradition in the Nordic countries, particularly in Sweden and Finland. This festive celebration has also expanded to Baltic countries like Lithuania and Latvia. Typically held in August, these parties originally aligned with the crayfish harvest season in Sweden, which was limited to late summer for a significant portion of the 20th century. Although this restriction has since been lifted, the tradition endures.

At a kräftskiva, crayfish are boiled in salted water, seasoned with fresh dill, and served cold. Diners eat them with their fingers, creating a fun and informal dining experience. The festive atmosphere is enhanced with playful accessories such as novelty paper hats, themed tablecloths, colorful lanterns, and bibs. Drinks like aquavit and snaps, along with beer, are commonly enjoyed, and guests often break into traditional drinking songs called snapsvisa. The food spread typically features a buffet-style assortment including bread, mushroom pies, Västerbotten cheese, salads, and various other dishes.

In Spain, the town of Herrera de Pisuerga has been celebrating the Festival Nacional del Cangrejo de Río (National Crayfish Festival) for over 40 years, underscoring the crayfish's significance in local cuisine. Since 2011, the festival has included a "Swedish dinner" that mirrors the kräftskiva tradition, complete with paper lanterns and candles. The inaugural Swedish dinner was a notable event, attended by special guest Eva Boix, the First Secretary and Chancellor of Spain.

These crayfish parties, whether in the Nordic countries or adapted in Spain, bring people together to enjoy good food, drinks, and lively company, all while honoring the humble crayfish.