Jonathan Livingston Seagull, filled with exhilaration, dances between two pigeon girls. The anticipation of who he will choose, or more accurately, which one will pick him, adds to the thrill. Jonathan, a seasoned seagull who has mastered the arts of flying, personal reflection, freedom, and self-realisation, has been a global sensation since the 1970s and the publication of his memoirs. Today, his spirits are soaring higher than ever, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

'Miaoulia' and 'Midsummer Eve' are not just ordinary festivities but profound cultural expressions that command immense respect. On the idyllic Greek island of Hydra, 'Miaoulia' is a testament to Greece's hard-fought freedom, commemorating the triumph over the Ottomans. In stark contrast, 'Midsummer Eve' in Scandinavia is a joyous celebration of the victory of summer light over the winter darkness, a powerful symbol of the resilience and joy of the human spirit.

Midsummer's Day is not just any day in Sweden, especially the Saturday evening before. It's their unofficial national day, even more significant than the Flag Day on June 6. In Hydra, preparations are underway for the definitive combat, the sea battle where the Turks received their final defeat and the flagship was blown up in the air. Miaoulia literally explodes on Saturday night with fireworks and the disintegration of the poor Turk's effigy, representing a Turk. Meanwhile, in Sweden, people sing songs together and enjoy a few drinks. The atmosphere can get quite lively, both in the North and South.

Twilight arrives, calling for another dove ball, but the pigeon girls are aloof. None of the young females sitting stuck on the straw umbrellas wanted to dance to the setting sun's glory. Old Jonathan Livingstone Seagull did not mind but swung up in a swirl around the sun, and in his mind, the girls waltzed with him. Tight, tight on the starry arcadia above, hope always endures in the land of dreams. That's how dreams work with seniors – mature but forever young, clinging in their belated adolescence - perpetually falling in love again and again with people they meet and want to dance with. That's Jonathan in a nutshell. His eternal dance passes among stars and planets even if it never leaves the sealed ballroom between his ears. The sun finally sets and prepares for another day, and the dream will dance until the morning when the sun shines it away. Nice to have, but so fragile and fleeting, and he has to endure another day until the twilight frees him once more. Then it's time for fireworks and for some dancing.

The Swedish poet and troubadour Evert Taube has captured the essence of unfulfilled love with poignant clarity. His passion for women remained unabated, his heart forever young, never growing too old to stop wishing upon a star. In his chant "Dansen på Sunnanö", Dancing at the Southern Reef, his alter ego Runnerdahl - an elderly fiddler appearing in several Taube songs – dreams of a romance with the young beauty Eva. He gets a dance, but no more, and Eva instead falls into the arms of a young cadet. Runnerdahl, refusing to see what he does not want to see, plays his fiddle like a stoned Bacchus. In his mind, he and Eva dance more closely together; she is his bride. A wistful peace settles in, a feeling that resonates with the heart.

My translation of Taube's chant is a testament to the transformative power of dreams. It can transport you to a Hydra Ballroom and be sung if you know the tune. The play is set by Just replacing the cuckoo with an Athenian Owl. Dreams are not forbidden; they are essential for our survival. Despite being married to the same woman until his last day, Evert Taube never ceased to dream. Relentlessly, he continued composing chants about love and life in the Stockholm archipelago, his music resonating from Pampas to the Mediterranean. Perhaps his dreams reached Hydra, and the little Athenian owl became his muse. Today, Evert and his wife, Astrid, reside among the stars, their music and art carrying their legacy to generations. For this is the truth – dreams make dreams come true, at least until Aurora calls for a break until the next night when you can embark on an odyssey among the stars, leaving this life behind.

Dancing at the Southern Reef
free after “Dansen på Sunnanö” by Evert Taube

"They're twirling at the Southern Reef, and Runnerdahl is flash,
Waltzing Miss Eva Liljeback at the guesthouse summer bash.
Through open panes, a fragrant breeze, to the pension dancing hall
The scent of lilac and jasmine from beyond the festive ball.
The scent of lilac and jasmine from beyond the festive ball.
And Eva's arm holds him tight, and freckled is her skin,
Ripe red berries are her lips, and her skirt is tight and thin.
- Oh Runnerdahl, I know your kind; you'll take any girl you see,
Of all the girls around the world, you cannot let one be, tee-hee.
Of all the girls around the world, you cannot let one be, tee-hee.

- To take is not my way of life, my dear Miss, but to give!
A wastrel I might be, but rich as long as I may live.
- Oh, Runnerdahl, how you stare! And fumbling the skirt muslin
- Of course, but even somewhat more! Pass me a good violin.
- Of course, but even somewhat more! Pass me a good violin.

They twirl around the Baltic's edge to Runnerdahl's pochette.
They waltz the waves; they skip the wind, she sees a young cadet.
All makes a song that sweeps around through Pension Park and Hall,
As summer morning gleams in East, and cuckoos sing their call,
As summer morning gleams in East, and cuckoos sing their call.
Now Eva waltzes at the ball in the cadet's soft embrace,
and all the freckles are seen no more, so flushed is Eva's face.
But Runnerdahl is pale and true and plays with all his pride,
Dreaming of a world anew, where Eva is his bride.
Dreaming of a world anew, where Eva is his bride."

A 'pension' is a modest hotel, like a guest house on Hydra. The golden age of these pensions in Sweden lasted until the 1950s. There was no pension on Southern Reef, Sunnanö (an island in the Stockholm archipelago). Taube is told to have based this song on a so-called 'Pensionat' in Södermöja, a larger island. As far as I know, none of the hotels or pensions on Hydra arrange dances. It could be an excellent idea.

About the meaning of a cuckoo's calling from the South. It means no good news for poor old Runnerdahl, but he only hears his fiddle. Any Swede knows, since the Vikings, what the cuckoo call means. Cuckoos occur in folklore widely and frequently. I suppose also on Hydra, though we have the forlorn Athenian Owl in the absence of cuckoos. The little owl calls from different winds, foretelling the next day and our future. At least, that is what you're supposed to believe.

'Waltz at Cuckoo's Dawn', also by Evert Taube. In Swedish, it's called '*Vals I gökottan'. Gökotta is a very particular Swedish word meaning 'rising at dawn to listen to birdsong'.

'Hear hear, hear the cuckoo, Miss! It calls in the West.
Miss, the Western cuckoo is the best,
The Northern one is a real bore,
but the Southern predicts evil sudden death.
The Eastern is a comforting cuckoo,
Listen, Miss. The cuckoo now calls in the West.
Do you hear him? Kuku!'

In Sweden, they believed the cuckoo could predict the future, and still today, the word is heard. The cuckoo's call from the West is the best; singing in the North is melancholy, the South calls for sudden, often cruel death, and the East means a call for consolation. Now, everyone on Hydra also knows how to interpret the sound of the Athenian owl. If it calls from the direction of Athens, take care! So stay alert, as it can tell important things about the coming days. If you don't like the news, you can always have an extra glass of Greek wine. That makes you immune to unwanted prophecies.

Oh dear, even more things to think about when on holiday

Miaoulis
Andreas Vokos from Hydra, better known under his moniker Miaoulis, was a pivotal figure in the Greek War of Independence, serving as an admiral and politician. Born on May 20, 1768, in Euboea and of Arvanite descent, Miaoulis was not just a native islander of Hydra but a prosperous merchant captain. His early life as a trader, a period marked by prosperity and success, was shaped by his upbringing in a family of seafarers and his exposure to the bustling trade routes of the Mediterranean. This transformation from a successful trader to a strategic naval commander is a testament to his adaptability and leadership skills, and it would shape the course of Greek history.

Before he assumed command of the Greek naval forces, Miaoulis was a successful corn trader who had amassed considerable wealth. His financial success during the Napoleonic Wars was a testament to his business acumen and a means to support the Greek cause against Ottoman rule. His generous contributions, both in wealth and spirit, were not just a show of his wealth but a lifeline for many ordinary Greeks. His financial support provided the struggling revolutionaries with food, shelter, and medical supplies, demonstrating a commitment beyond his military leadership and making him a true champion of Greek independence.

Miaoulis's tenure as a naval commander was marked by critical victories and strategic prowess. From May 1825 to January 1826, he led the Greeks in victorious skirmishes against the Ottomans at several locations, including Modon, Cape Matapan, Suda, and Cape Papas. His early appointment in 1822 as Admiral signalled his crucial role in orchestrating the Greek naval strategy. His command at the revenge attack for the massacre of Chios was a masterstroke, employing a combination of surprise, speed, and superior firepower to overwhelm the Ottoman fleet. This strategic brilliance and leadership would shape the course of Greek history.

Throughout 1824 and 1825, Miaoulis faced formidable challenges, notably the occupation of Navarino by Egyptian forces and the dire situations at Messolonghi during its sieges. Despite the vast disproportion of naval strength and the failure of his attempts to disrupt the sea communications of the Egyptian troops, Miaoulis's spirit remained relentless. This relentless spirit, this refusal to give up in the face of adversity, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Greek cause, something we can all find inspiring and learn from.

However, the escalating war saw a decline in Greek naval power, driven by financial constraints and the growing piracy that plagued the Eastern Mediterranean. The arrival of Thomas Cochrane, a former Royal Navy officer, in 1827 marked a turning point in Miaoulis's career. Cochrane's reputation and experience brought a new level of professionalism and discipline to the Greek navy, prompting Miaoulis to recognise his superior abilities and step aside. This decision was not easy for Miaoulis, but it was a testament to his selflessness and commitment to the Greek cause.

Miaoulis's life after the war was as turbulent as his times. He was entangled in the civil conflicts that swept through Greece after its independence. Notably, he opposed the governance of Capodistrias and the Russian party's influence, taking dramatic actions such as seizing and destroying key ships from the Greek fleet during a counterattack by the Russian fleet. His opposition was not just a result of personal disagreements but a reflection of his deep-seated belief in the principles of democracy and self-determination, which he felt were being undermined by foreign influence.

After the war, Miaoulis's life took a political turn. He was not just a passive observer but an active participant in the delegation that invited King Otto to accept the Greek crown, a significant step towards establishing a stable government. His political involvement was a formality and testament to his continued dedication to the nation. His subsequent appointments and honours were not just accolades but a recognition of his contributions. Miaoulis's post-war life was not just a reflection of the turbulent times he lived in but a testament to his unwavering commitment to Greece.

Miaoulis passed away on June 24, 1835, in Athens, leaving a legacy intertwined with Greece's maritime and national history. He was laid to rest near the tomb of Themistocles in Piraeus, a symbolic gesture that linked him to the great heroes of Greece's past and underscored his contributions to the nation. His heart was preserved in an urn at the Ministry of Commercial Navy, a testament to his unwavering love for the sea and lifelong dedication to the navy. In remembrance, the Hellenic Navy christened a cruiser, the Navarchos Miaoulis, in 1879, and his memory is celebrated annually in Hydra through Miaoulia. This festival echoes his significant role in the 1821 Greek Revolution and serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy and the values he stood for.