St. John’s Day at the Open Air Museum, June 23, 2011

One of the most important holidays for Estonians is St. John’s Day in midsummer. The mysterious night is full of beliefs, omens and rites that can be used to turn fortune in your favour.

The custom in the olden days was that no work was done on this day, and the house was decorated with fresh birch. As night wore on, bonfires were lit, and people danced, played games and sang around them, pitting their strength against each other, while those bolder might even attempt to jump over the fire. At night, flowers were gathered to foretell future sweethearts, and the hunt was on for the mythical fern blossom; faces were washed with the morning dew to preserve youth and beauty. In spite of the festive merrymaking, the bonfire lit on this, the lightest night of midsummer, could not completely conceal the understanding that it was but a temporary respite, and that a long and difficult winter lay ahead.

Source: www.tallinn2011.ee

More information: www.evm.ee