Jaanipäev or Midsummer Day

"Jaanipäev" ("John's Day" in English) was celebrated long before the arrival of Christianity in Estonia, although the day was given its name by the crusaders. The arrival of Christianity, however, did not end pagan beliefs and fertility rituals surrounding this holiday. In 1578, 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.

Midsummer marks a change in the farming year, specifically the break between the completion of spring sowing and the hard work of summer hay-making.

Understandably, some of the rituals of Jaanipäev have very strong folkloric roots. The best-known Jaanik, or midsummer, ritual is the lighting of the bonfire and the 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 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.These guys aren't taking any chances of bad spirits ruining their coming year. However, trying to jump over this bonfire could greatly decrease their prospects of having any prosperity.

Estonians celebrate "Jaaniõhtu" ("John's Night" in English) on the eve of the Summer Solstice (June 23) with bonfires. On the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, old fishing boats may be burnt in the large pyres set ablaze. On Jaaniõhtu, 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. The celebrations that accompany Jaaniõhtu are the largest and most important of the year, and the traditions are similar those of Sweden, Finland and the southern neighbour Latvia.

Since 1934 the June 23 is also national Victory Day of Estonia and both 23 & 24 are holidays.

Rainer, Ryan, and I attended the annual Jaanipäev party for the Salt Lake area last Sunday. Ingrid was so very gracious to open her home to everyone. We had some traditional Estonian dishes like sauerkraut and pork, potato salad, rye bread, cucumber salad, and my favorite kringle which is the desert. It is a beautiful ring of twisted bread with raisins, nuts, chocolate, cinnamon mixed inside.

We had our own little fire going in a fire pit. No big bonfires this year. And no one dared to take a flying leap over it for good luck. But the kids roasted marshmallows and made smores. We had a great time.