Juhannus (Ivan's Day) in Finland (25/06)

Anyone who has ever visited Finland knows that the inhabitants of this country do not have a special temperament. The Finns are never in a hurry, but at the same time it is not their style to be late. For them, punctuality — is the key to success, and lack of emotions — is a sign of good manners. But there are days when Finns have fun, as they say, « to the full».

This happens on December 6 — on Independence Day and on Johannus (Finnish). Juhannuspäivä), which occurs during the summer solstice. However, winter fun is clearly losing against the backdrop of the summer holiday. And this is not surprising. After all, Johannus or Midsummer Day — is the beginning of summer, and for the northern country there is no better time. In addition, the Christian holiday of the Nativity of John the Baptist was superimposed on the summer solstice. Therefore, at present, Midsummer Day in Finland is traditionally celebrated on the first Saturday after June 19.

The Finns are preparing for this day in advance. These days, city streets are literally buried in birch leaves. Birch wreaths or branches can be found everywhere: in churches, shops and private homes. According to tradition, birch symbolizes hospitality. If the owner decorated the door of his home with a branch of this tree, then every traveler will be received here with cordiality.

Today, birch is considered a symbol of Finland. But there were times when three trees claimed to be the leader: mountain ash, rowan and birch. Moreover, the most serious opponent was rowan. It, like birch, was assigned special properties. It was believed that it protected the house and its inhabitants from dangers, evil spirits and diseases. But birch won the dispute, because most Finnish forests have — birch groves.

In the 19th century, thanks to Zachary Tapelius, birch, in addition to protective ones, also acquired romantic properties. In his fairy tale «Birch and Star», the writer spoke about two lost boys who found their way home thanks to the birch tree that grew in their garden. The further fate of the tree was even more successful. It has become a symbol of loyalty among lovers.

Passionate Finnish guys, confessing their love, put a ring of birch bark on their chosen one’s finger. This tradition has survived to this day as a kind of game or joke. Modern Finns use a birch ring to propose to their beloved. As a sign of consent, the girl also gives a ring. And it’s even better to have a wedding on Midsummer’s Day.

However, single girls also have something to do on the holiday. Unhappy in love, in order to bewitch their chosen one, it is recommended to run around the rye field three times at midnight. Preferably naked. While the beauty is circling, his beloved will see her in a dream, and the next morning he will understand that she is the one and only one that he has been looking for all his life. For inexperienced and timid girls, it is better to limit themselves to collecting flowers. Tradition says that if a young lady picks nine different flowers on Midsummer's Day and puts them under her pillow, then at night she will dream about her future husband.

But these are all lyrical digressions, let's return to the queen of the holiday — birch. Her triumph comes in the evening of the day.

By this time, all residents of the city, if it is small, gather near the river, where there is already a huge cross made of birch branches and decorated with red ribbons. According to tradition, citizens must raise it together and thereby announce the opening of the holiday. Then it’s the turn of the funniest part of the — round dance festival.

The main part of the holiday is the raising of the Finnish flag and the burning of Koka. Coca is a cone-shaped structure made of dry birch branches. From time immemorial, back in Swedish times, residents of villages and cities lit fires on the river. It was believed that fire devours evil, and water carries its ashes away.

These days, burning Coca — is simply one of the most beautiful elements of the holiday. As soon as the fire burns out, Finns sit down at tables and fry sausages or bake pancakes. The festive dinner is washed down generously with everything that has a degree. From slightly intoxicating cider to very drunk vodka. The festivities continue all night.

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