/// sorrow and joy

The dreariness of Sweden's winters compared to its south European neighbours was documented as long ago as the 6th century. Roman chronicler Jordanes described the inhabitants of northern Sweden and Norway in his text Getica, written in Constantinople in AD 551.

According to Jordanes, the inhabitants of the region "are said to have continual light in midsummer for forty days and nights, and who likewise have no clear light in the winter season... By reason of this alteration of sorrow and joy, they are like no other race in their sufferings and blessings."

http://www.thelocal.se/15206/20081024/