JAANIPÄEV or St.John ´s day or Midsummer Day is an ancient summer holiday for Estonians. It is the most sacred one of them all and is celebrated on the 24th of June.

There is an old tradition to go to sauna.

Whipping yourself with birch whisks in sauna will bring you a strong health.

It´s common to visit our ancestors´ graves.

Midsummer Day is the longest day of the year.Only Nordic countries have white nights in June. On the eve of Midsummer Day, many bonfires used to be burnt all over the country. This was in praise of the sun, for the days were getting shorter and the sun appeared to be getting weaker, so people would light fires to strengthen the sun.

Some of the rituals of Jaanipäev have very strong folkloric roots. For example people go into the forest searching the fern – a plant that is said to blossom only on Midsummer Eve night. The lucky finder of the flower may expect great happiness and welth.

Traditional food used to be cottage cheese pie and milk products. Nowadays people eat on fire baked or grilled meat, potatoes, sausages.

Besides the traditional food there is also a traditional non alcoholic drink that is called kali. It´s kvass or light ale.

People are all night awake, everybody party and don't sleep in this night.They sing jolly songs and dance around the fire. The most popular song on that day is Jaanipäev Link: Fix - Jaanipäev Fix - Jaanipäev

There is a common tradition to jump over the bonfire

A vey fun game is tug-of-war

Gathering on a big village swing is another big tradition

Little children are kept away from the big bonfires

Round dances are often played

This holiday used to be so important that servants, shepards and of course the young people were given a day off.

The herd had to be prevented from being seen by strangers, that could damage or bewitch the herd.

This is what Midsummer Day looks like in Estonia

Kristel Aasa 9 th class Kalmetu Basic School