In Estonia, the second most important folk holiday after Christmas is – Yaanov (Ivanov) day – day of mid-summer.
On this day, the girls wove wreaths of nine different types of flowers, nine flowers of each species. When the wreath was dressed on its head, not a word could be said. The girl went to bed with him. According to legend, in a dream her future husband had to come to her and remove the wreath.
This is a traditional important summer holiday on the summer solstice. On the eve of Ivanovo Day, bonfires are burned, then they dance, sing, drink beer all night, jump over the fire and look for a fern flower in the forest, which, according to legend, blooms only on Midsummer Night. Great wealth and happiness await the finder of the flower. The fire was lit on the mountain or by the sea. Swimming in rivers and lakes, like Russians in the old days on Ivan Kupala Day, is not common among Estonians. But on this day they really like to go to the sauna. It is customary that bath brooms should be prepared only until June 24. Because it is believed that after Midsummer's Day the broom does not have healing powers.
This sacrament is associated with the main holiday that has come down to us from distant pagan times, which is still celebrated by the peoples of Europe. It is called differently in different countries. It was believed that on Midsummer Night you should not sleep until dawn –, not only because you can hear the singing of elves, but primarily for the purpose of a talisman for the entire coming year. Celebrations in honor of the holiday began in the evening and continued throughout the night, ending with the meeting of the dawn of the – rising sun.
Until 1770, Midsummer Day was an official holiday. Its abolition, however, did not become a reason for the people to cool down towards it; –, on the contrary, Midsummer Night remained a favorite folk holiday. Compared to Christmas and Easter, this holiday has much less to do with church celebrations. Most of the ancient pagan customs are associated with Ivan's Night.
Perhaps the main tradition dedicated to Ivan's Night is – lighting fires. Since ancient times, people believed that fire could protect against evil forces. Fire – is the strongest and most effective cleansing element: everything dirty and obsolete in it can burn, but the fire itself always remains clean. Bonfires were lit on Midsummer's Night in several ways.
The fire itself was intended to help the sun overcome the top of the sky; it symbolized the victory of light over darkness. By lighting a fire and maintaining it until the morning, people seemed to welcome the new sun. The peasants tried to make a fire as much as possible – this was considered a matter of honor. On this occasion, competitions were often held – for those with higher and brighter flames. As a rule, several courtyards or farms gathered at a common fire pit, where old and young took part in preparing a large fire.
Now local authorities are trying to facilitate the organization of the holiday.
Each district of the city makes its own largest fire, songs and dances are organized. The venue for the celebration is usually chosen near bodies of water (sea or lake). Local newspapers publish a summary of – events both before and after the festivities, thereby comparing the size of the fire, the number of people attending the celebrations, and the amount of beer they drank these days. Since beer is considered the main drink of this holiday. Beer producers begin their advertising campaigns dedicated to the holiday long before Ivan's Day. Drawings of valuable prizes are held during the day from June 22 to 24.
Of course, these days many of the customs are either forgotten or performed purely formally. However, the holiday is alive, and to this day it embodies the triumph of summer, fertility, and the flourishing of vitality.