Crayfish Traditions

Imagine a summer cottage near a small lake on a moon-lit night, somewhere in Sweden. Then imagine the back garden where a table is set with serving trays overflowing with bright red crayfish. Paper lanterns that look like smiling moons glow in the darkness. One can hear laughter, slurping, songs and an occasional “skål!” The guests are wearing paper hats and bibs with colourful crayfish motifs. Everyone is equipped with crayfish utensils, paper plates and a compilation of songs to accompany the ice-cold schnapps.

Who could have imagined that the once unlikely crayfish would become such an important celebration, marking the last days of summer? At one time, the lakes of central Sweden teemed with crayfish, which were exported to high-class restaurants in Paris, London and Berlin. Swedish aristocracy also relished on the delicacy, while most of the middle-class regarded crayfish as common feed.

In the end of the 1800s the large export made the crayfish population extremely scarce. The government imposed a law limiting fishing to only two months a year in the early autumn. Crayfish became a rarity and due to this, each crayfish season became marked by celebration. But in the 1960s, the crayfish enthusiasts were struck with a new disaster: “the crayfish plague” that eliminated most crayfish from Sweden’s waters. Sweden, once the world’s largest exporter of crayfish became the world’s largest importer. Today, crayfish are imported in huge amounts from Turkey, Spain and the United States. While the seasonal ban on fishing and eating crayfish was lifted years ago, crayfish feasts in August remain a tradition that is stronger than ever.

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As usual, both of our Crayfish Parties at IKEA Twin Cities have SOLD OUT!  Don't you worry -- we'll be having them again next year, so get your tickets early!  Follow us on Twitter to be the first to know, or check our website for more information next year!