Sonya Day (27/07)

Tradition to celebrate Sonya Day (Finnish). Unikeonpäivä, which is celebrated in Finland annually on July 27, came to the country during the Middle Ages along with the legend of seven Christians who slept for almost 200 years in a cave to escape the wrath of the Roman emperor. According to local belief, the same fate will befall anyone who sleeps longer than usual that day. Despite the rather sad legend, the holiday resulted in an original event.

The legend of the seven youths of Ephesus transformed into a story about people who fell asleep, and when they woke up, they became convinced that their world had changed.

The phrase «seven sleepers» (seven sleeping) became a catchphrase in Protestant culture in the 16th century. During the Enlightenment, the legend was not popular, but it was remembered again during the Romantic era. The word syvsover (literally «seven sleeping») is enshrined in Swedish, Norwegian and Danish in the meaning of «those who sleep soundly and for a long time».

In 1652, Holy Father Hemming decided to celebrate the day of remembrance of the seven saints. A fun carnival dedicated to sleepyheads began to be held much later. And the holiday received its current appearance in the 50s of the last century. It is celebrated throughout Europe at different times, and in Finland — on July 27.

Finns vacationing at local resorts felt that the ancient custom of — was an excellent reason to have a lot of fun. Residents of the port city of Naantali were the first to organize a real national holiday on this day.

Traditionally, the hero of the day is the laziest and sleep-loving resident of the city, who is publicly given a boost of vigor by throwing him into the waters of the sea harbor.

The son of the year is chosen in advance, but no one knows his name until the very last moment. Early in the morning, at about seven o'clock, he is covered with a blanket to preserve incognito, taken to the pier and immediately thrown into the waters of the Gulf of Finland. And only when he gets to the pier does the public see the face of the lucky one.

After the morning ceremony, the holiday moves to the central square, where it continues until the evening. The — holiday program includes all kinds of theatrical, costume and musical performances, competitions, fairs and other events.

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