21 June 2022
By the time you read this, the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere will have passed today at 5:13am(ET). We call it the beginning of summer but in northern Europe it’s “Midsummer,” celebrated in Midsummer Festivals this coming weekend.
This Friday in Latvia they might wear traditional garb with a wool shawl but they aren’t rigorous about staying in character. (If your mobile rings, answer it.) In Finland they wear jackets around the bonfire.
Originally the bonfires were meant to scare away evil spirits but now they’re as integral to the celebration as fireworks on the 4th of July.
“Midsummer” is a celebration of light and warmth.
Happy Solstice!
(photos from Wikimedia Commons; click on the captions to see the originals)
Was wondering what a cormorant was doing there in front of the bonfire, but upon further inspection I see that it is a young kid in a baseball cap. Phew.
🙂
Happy Summer to you, Kate! Summer sounds better than Midsummer since that would indicate Fall is approaching. Let’s enjoy all these warmer days allow us. Picnics, long walks, lazy days, flowers, farmers markets, fireflies and bird songs.