Midsummers' eve (Finland)
The thought of Midsummers Eve is supposed to be magical and peaceful, but it connects back to the Pagan times. It use to be called the "celebration of the Ukko", in East-Finland. Ukko was the Finnish god of thunder, he was important to people because he was the one who created the rain, which the people of the land needed for good harvesting.
The theory was that the midsummer nights where for witches, elves and fairies and during that time they were to show people their future happiness. That is why the midsummer connected back to being magical and peaceful. Still to this day girls like to pick flower on the midsummer night and put them under their pillows to give hope their future husbands will be shown to them in their dreams. Like that there are many old traditions that people still follow today. One thing that people still do is build a kokko which is a bonfire that is near water. all over Finland the bonfire would be lit, in the past people would gather to make the rules about the correct way to light a bonfire. But usually the oldest man of the village will light the bonfire, because it is and honur to so.
Many people would decorate their homes and their doorways with flowers and trees and they would also eat light refreshments such as rasberries, to keep the summer feeling alive.
Midsummers eve is really the time where people relax and enjoy the magic they call it the "Night less Night" because of all the bonfire that are lit all over Finland.
The theory was that the midsummer nights where for witches, elves and fairies and during that time they were to show people their future happiness. That is why the midsummer connected back to being magical and peaceful. Still to this day girls like to pick flower on the midsummer night and put them under their pillows to give hope their future husbands will be shown to them in their dreams. Like that there are many old traditions that people still follow today. One thing that people still do is build a kokko which is a bonfire that is near water. all over Finland the bonfire would be lit, in the past people would gather to make the rules about the correct way to light a bonfire. But usually the oldest man of the village will light the bonfire, because it is and honur to so.
Many people would decorate their homes and their doorways with flowers and trees and they would also eat light refreshments such as rasberries, to keep the summer feeling alive.
Midsummers eve is really the time where people relax and enjoy the magic they call it the "Night less Night" because of all the bonfire that are lit all over Finland.