On the distance

It was a cool summer night deep in the forest of Alversjö. Under the gaze of the green trees, we gathered, hundreds of souls drawn together by an unspoken longing. For a week, we had savored the sweet taste of freedom, leaving behind the confines of ordinary life like old clothes. Here, those yearning for connection found gentle hands reaching through the crowd, and those weary of the world’s boxes let their true selves dance wild beneath midnight’s starry mantle.

Warmth, acceptance, and love flowed among us like a refreshing current, wrapping each heart in its tender embrace. Each smile, each whispered compliment, became a spark, an infectious glow that wove us closer together, until we moved as one breathless tapestry of belonging. The magic of the night was not in the stars above, but in the constellation of spirits shining all around us, which exploded with happiness and joy to each drop of the beat in the dawn dancefloor of Mumima.

As the celebration reached its grand finale, we gathered reverently around the wooden idol, our bodies humming with anticipation as the rhythmic pulse of drums filled the air each beat a heartbeat echoing through the forest’s timeless presence. It felt as though the spirits of the past stirred among the trees, whispering their joy to us beneath the radiant flames.

When fire at last claimed the idol, the flames leaped toward the night sky, painting our faces with flickering warmth and light. In that glow, a shift swept strongly through the crowd: pure and primal, a surrender to ritual and renewal. Many, casting aside their garments, let the cool air and firelight caress their skin as they danced in an ecstatic circle around it, hearts opened wide to the promise of transformation and the sheer delight of being alive.

My friends and I watched the moment unfold, reflecting on our role, boundaries, and sense of belonging in this world. That night, the fire deepened our connections; new and old friendships grew stronger as we danced until sunrise. As I returned to camp at dawn, I realized something inside me had awakened, giving me new direction. I wasn’t reborn, but the fire reignited a forgotten part of my soul.