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Understandably, some of the rituals of JaanipÀev have very strong folkloric roots. The best-known Jaanik, or midsummer, ritual is the lighting of the bonfire and then jumping over it. This is seen as a way of guaranteeing prosperity and avoiding bad luck. Likewise, to not light the fire is to invite
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Midsummer's eve is important for lovers. Among
Estonian fairy tales and literature there is the tale of two lovers, Koit (dawn) and HĂ€marik (dusk). These two lovers see each other only once a year and exchange the briefest of kisses on the shortest night of the year. Earth-bound lovers go into the
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During their occupation of
Estonia, the Soviets made no attempt to stop JaanipÀev celebrations. For Estonians, however, JaanipÀev remained tied to Estonia's victory during the War of Independence and the securing of a free and independent state. JaanipÀev, therefore, always reminded Estonians of
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JaanipÀev, although not known by that name in the pre-Christian era, it was celebrated long before the arrival of
Christianity in Estonia. After the country was Christianised, the feast took the name Saint John's Day, or JaanipÀev (in Estonian). The arrival of Christianity, however, did not end
353:. The meteorite's fall is also said to be the inspiration for Nordic and Baltic mythological stories about the Sun falling onto the Earth. This idea suggests that the present-day bonfires and celebrations actually symbolise Estonia's connection with its ancient past.
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which is said to bloom only on that night because ferns are not seed-bearing plants and do not flower. Also on this night, single people can follow a detailed set of instructions involving different flowers to see whom they are going to marry.
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the destruction of your house by fire. The fire also frightened away mischievous spirits who avoided it at all costs, thus ensuring a good harvest. So, the bigger the fire, the further the mischievous spirits stayed away.
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During the transition to the re-establishment of
Estonia's de facto independence, JaanipÀev became an unofficial holiday, with many work places closing down. It once again became an official national holiday in 1992.
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calendar. The short summer seasons with long days and brief nights hold special significance for the people of
Estonia. JaanipÀev is celebrated on the night between June 23 and 24, the Western Christian feast of the
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On JaaniÔhtu, Estonians all around the country will gather with their families, or at larger events to celebrate this important day with singing and dancing, as
Estonians have done for centuries.
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on 23 June 1919. After this battle against
Estonia's traditional oppressors, JaaniÔhtu and the lighting of the traditional bonfires became linked with the ideals of independence and freedom.
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about
Estonians who placed more importance on feasting than going to church. He complained about those who went to church, but did not enter, and instead spent their time lighting
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JaanipÀev marks a change in the farming year, specifically the break between the completion of spring sowing and the hard work of summer hay-making.
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The tradition before the Soviet occupation, which has now been restored, was for a fire to be lit by the
Estonian President on the morning of
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has provided another perspective on JaanipÀev in his work
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surrounding this holiday. In 1578, with some disgust,
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363:VĂ”idupĂŒha
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