Juhannus: Midsummer Celebration, Seurasaari Island

June.23 – Midsummer Eve, Seurasaari Island, Euro 12/person. Celebrating Juhannus (Midsummer) is an old tradition in Finland. In Finland, there are total of two event for BonFires.

The first is Easter Bonfires on the April.15, originated from the Northwest Finland. According to their tradition The Bonfire was lit because people in the old days believed trolls and witches were our and about in the dark of night. They destroy the livestock and do damages for season crops. “Warf off the evil spirits”.
The second is Midsummer Bonfire on the June.23, originated from the Eastern Finland. Its festive mood celebrated with flowers and leafy twigs. Variety of tells and omens were likewise a strong features of Midsummer. Pre-Christian days: magic to promote growth and Christian day is “John the Baptist Birthday. Walked around the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Witness a whole range of Finnish architectures, life-style, house hold equipments, fences, etc…

Juhannus/Midsummer Program:
Roadside Program 18-21 hrs
Log Floaters, craftsmen, folk music, folk dancing for the public, Midsummer in farmstead, swing and playground for children, puppet show and horse driving. What I love the most is “Food”. The small little fishes that goes so well with “Koff” (Finnish Beer). Still haven't try the "Kampella" fish. Cannot find anywhere near here. May be in another country side up north.

Festival Grounds 19-21 hrs
Finnish Folk music, Jari Komulainen et al, the procession of flags, Karelian folk dances, children polonaise and bonfire, Play: from one hill you can see another, Finnish Folk dances and Wedding couple’s waltz.

The Bonfire Shore 21-22 hrs
Words for the songs were given to sing along when the couples are rowing to light the main bonfire. (Karjalaisten Laluu and Jo Karjalan Kunnailla). There are bonfires – not just one, but many which are just spectacular. The whole wonderful atmosphere. I love the processing of lighting of bonfires.

Midsummer Dances on the Festival Ground 22.15-01 (Finnish Folk Music) and we drink-drink-drink-prictures-prictures-prictures…

Midsummer Weddings: in Finland, it was quite popular to get married at Midsummer. In Seurasaari you can see the wedding couple in old style. The couple walked to the festival ground under a colorful, traditionally made canopy, followed by folk dancers. The couple is rowed in a traditional rowing boat to a nearby island, where they have the honorable duty of lighting up the main bonfire. There is the over three-centuries-old Karuna Wooden Church for the weddings.

Midsummer Spells: In Finnish tradition, the Midsummer Eve has always believed to have magical qualities. People do all kind of spells and charms. Most of them are in some way or another, linked to ones love life.

La Reverie du Nord – The Nordic Day dreaming