Annies blog

The weather wasnt very nice it was freezing cold and no sun but we had fun anyway.

In Finland we all have friday off this week because of midsummer eve. I dont know really if you celebrate midsummer in other countries, but as we have so short summer here and long dark cold winter, its very important time of year for us. This is what is told about midsummer in Wikipedia:

Finland

Midsummer bonfire in Mäntsälä, Finland. Bonfires are very common in Finland, where many people spend their midsummer in the countryside outside towns

Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon juhla, after the Finnish god Ukko. In e.g. Karelian tradition, many bonfires were burned side by side, the biggest of which was called Ukko-kokko (the “bonfire of Ukko”). After the celebrations were Christianized, the holiday is known as juhannus after John the Baptist (Finnish: Johannes Kastaja).

Since 1955, the holiday is always on a Saturday (between June 20th and June 26th). Earlier it was always on June 24th.

In the Finnish midsummer celebration, bonfires (Finnish kokko)are very common and are burnt at lakesides and by the sea. Often two young birch trees (koivu) are placed on either side of the front door to welcome visitors. In Midsummer night the sauna is typically heated and family and friends are invited to bathe and to grill.

In folk magic, midsummer was a very potent night and the time for many small rituals, mostly for young maidens seeking suitors and fertility. Will o wisps were believed to be seen at midsummer night, particularly to finders of the mythical “fern in bloom” and possessors of the “fern seed”, marking a treasure. An important feature of the midsummer in Finland is the white night and the midnight sun. Because of Finland’s location spanning around the Arctic Circle the nights near the midsummer day are short or non-existent. This gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time.

Many music festivals of all sizes are organized on the Midsummer weekend. It’s also common to start summer holidays on Midsummer day. For many families the Midsummer is the time when they move to the countryside to their summer cottage by the lake. Often Finns spend the whole of July at the summer cottages. Midsummerday is also the Day of the Finnish Flag. The flag is hoisted at 6 pm on Midsummer eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening.

Well, not sure about the dancing naked on fields but im gonna have some beer and sauna and barbeque perhaps, we live on coutryside so we usually spend midsummer at home. Those who live in cities like to go to summer cottages and lakesides, and many ppl start their summer holidays from midsummer.

I installed a widget on my cam page to show my recent entries here on blog, so you can see from there when i have updated and come here to read. I stole the idea from Davey and Bradley, thanks guys xxxxx and you are very welcome for the idea of cbox lol . Have a nice week everyone!

Midnight sun!