Juhannus – Midsummer in Finland

Juhannus (Midsummer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon Juhla, (“Ukko's celebration”) after the Finnish God Ukko. In 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 became known as Juhannus after John the Baptist (Finnish: Johannes Kastaja).

Since 1955, the holiday has always been on a Saturday (between June 20 and June 26). Earlier it was always on June 24. Many of the celebrations of midsummer take place on Midsummer Eve, when many workplaces are closed and shops must close their doors at noon.

In the Finnish midsummer celebration, bonfires (Finnish “kokko”) are very common and are burned at lakesides and by the sea. Often branches from birch trees (“koivu”) are placed on both side of the front door to welcome visitors. Swedish-speaking Finns often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole (Swedish “midsommarstång”, “majstång”). Some Finland Swedes call the holiday Johannes after the Finnish term Juhannus – or more accurately after the Biblical John the Baptist (="Johannes Döparen" in Swedish).

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'-the-wisps were believed to appear at Midsummer Night, particularly to finders of the mythical “fern in bloom” and possessors of the “fern seed”, marking a treasure. In the old days, maidens would use special charms and bend over a well, naked, in order to see their future husband’s reflection. In another tradition that continues still today, an unmarried woman collects seven different flowers and places them under her pillow to dream of her future husband.

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. The temperature can vary between 0°C (30’F) and +30°C (90’F), with an average of about 20°C (70’F) in the South.

Many Finns leave the cities for Midsummer and spend time in the countryside. Nowadays many spend a few days there, and some Finns take their whole vacation in a cottage. Rituals include bonfires, cookouts, a sauna, and spending time together. Heavy drinking is also associated with the Finnish Midsummer.

Many music festivals of all sizes are organized on the Midsummer weekend. It is 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 sea or lake. Midsummer is also a Finnish Flag Day where the flag is hoisted at 6 p.m on Midsummer's Eve and flown all night till 9 p.m the following evening. Finnish Canadians in the New Finland district, Saskatchewan, Canada celebrate Juhannus. 

I personally prefer spending the Midsummer weekend in the city. It's nice and calm when most people really leave the city and go to the summer cottages. The suburb I live in is surrounded by nature. If I have picnic or simply spend time at the river that is next to the house where I live, it feels like I was out in the country.

Midsummer is considered the second biggest celebration in Finland after Christmas. First I was about to write down something about Midsummer myself but the Wikipedia article was so good that I decided to pick the lazy way and simply quote what was said in it.