Jaanipäev

Last Tuesday night saw the celebration of St Johns Day (Jaanipäev) in Estonia, which is one of the biggest holidays in the country. Last year I worked and stayed in Tallinn, and as I walked around the deserted streets of the capital I told myself that next year I would join the throngs heading for the country for the midsummer celebrations. So this year Sirli and I, along with some friends, headed to Vergi, a tiny little port in Lahemaa National Park for Jaanipäev. I've got to say that it was a great decision. The weather was fantastic and with a few drinks and good company we couldn't help but have fun.

Jaanipäev is a celebration that has been held in Estonia since pagan times, but those pesky Christian crusaders put their religious spin on things and called it St. Johns Day. Though even with Christian meanings attributed to it, the midsummer celebrations have always retained an elelment of unruly pagan traditions. Wikipedia even reveals that:

Balthasar Russow wrote in his Livonian Chronicle about Estonians who placed more importance on the festival than going to church. He complained about those who went to church, but did not enter, and instead spent their time lighting bonfires, drinking, dancing, singing and following pagan rituals.

Even to day there is a tradition to light a bonfire and jump over it, once it has died down a bit. Traditionally this was designed to scare away evil spirits and ensure a good harvest, though nowadays it's just something fun to look at while getting drunk!

The only down side is that from now on every day gets shorter from here on in. Winter is coming! (Is that overly pessimistic??? It happens when you live this far North.)

Those on Facebook will have seen photos already. Those who aren't can look at them here, or just enjoy them in an Animoto video below.