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Celebrating Jaanipäev - The Estonian Midsummer Day Tradition

Explore the ancient Estonian holiday of Jaanipäev, celebrated on the 24th of June with sauna rituals, bonfires, traditional food, and folkloric customs. Witness the joyous festivities and cultural traditions of this special day in Estonia.

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Celebrating Jaanipäev - The Estonian Midsummer Day Tradition

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  1. Jaanipäev 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.

  2. Jaanipäev There is an old tradition to go to sauna.

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

  4. Jaanipäev It´s common to visit our ancestors´ graves.

  5. Jaanipäev 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.

  6. Jaanipäev

  7. Jaanipäev 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.

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

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

  10. Jaanipäev 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

  11. Jaanipäev There is a common tradition to jump over the bonfire

  12. Jaanipäev A vey fun game is tug-of-war

  13. Jaanipäev Gathering on a big village swing is another big tradition

  14. Jaanipäev Little children are kept away from the big bonfires

  15. Jaanipäev Round dances are often played

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

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

  18. Jaanipäev This is what Midsummer Day looks like in Estonia

  19. Jaanipäev Kristel Aasa 9th class Kalmetu Basic School

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