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Midsummer – Go Peaceful or Go Party
In the old days, bonfires were lit during Midsummer to keep evil spirits away and ensure a good crop come time for harvesting.
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In Finnish Lapland, above the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon throughout the Midsummer festivities. Many like to honour the phenomenon in majestic surroundings.
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Finns are often cited as having strange pursuits. Competing in wife-carrying and air guitar playing could be just that, but celebrating the season of round-the-clock daylight in a setting like this is hardly madness. There’s plenty of light and lakes to go around.
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The sun hasn’t set, yet a new dawn rises. Seeing it in real life is often accompanied with a strange feeling of “everything’s gonna be alright”.
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Spells and magic in a Midsummer Eve’s night were Finnish maidens’ hopes for getting lucky in love. Perhaps the celebrations in the white night will bring forth prospective suitors?
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Bonfires are a central part of Midsummer and signal the start of the celebrations. If you party with Finns, take caution; after a few refreshments, it might be hard to distinguish between a.m. and p.m. since nights are virtually clear as day.
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A relaxing row on the lake is a privilege many don’t get to enjoy. A calm lake does wonders for the worn urban soul.
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White nights make for amber lakes make for unforgettable swims.
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When Night Goes Light
The Midnight Sun – a unique phenomenon best experienced in Finnish Lapland.
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The Art of Doing Nothing
The summer cottage is an institution in Finland: the Finnish summer havens provide a physical and mental getaway from the daily grind.
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Midsummer – Go Peaceful or Go Party
Midsummer is a main national holiday in Finland. Originally a celebration of the summer solstice, it is typically spent with friends and family at a summer cottage away from the city, either partying or relaxing.
Midsummer is often seen as the beginning of warm summer weather and many Finns start their summer holidays on Midsummer Eve.
Taking place at the end of June, the Midnight Sun is a key element in the festivities in the northern parts of Finland. Not that it gets dark in the south, either; nights are white throughout the country.
Traditions
Lighting bonfires and bathing in saunas are two of the most typical traditions in Midsummer celebrations. Barbecuing, fishing and boating have later become standard Midsummer pastimes while enjoying cottage life.
In the old days, Midsummer spells were cast, many of which had to do with hopes of increasing fertility and finding a future spouse. Midsummer was also a popular time for weddings.
Party time!
Making noise and getting intoxicated has been part of Midsummer celebrations for ages. According to past beliefs, loud behaviour would bring luck and drive away evil spirits. Some thought the amount of drink consumed in Midsummer would correlate to the magnitude of the crop at the end of summer.
So, Finnish Midsummer party traditions run deep. Today, countless events and festivals are held all over the country, with parties often lasting beyond the wee hours, simply because it’s hard to tell when the night ends and a new day starts!
The urban alternative
Some choose to spend Midsummer in the city. Young people have revived the Midsummer dance tradition, and while it is customary to have them out in the open air, they might take place in trendy clubs these days. Dressing up in a retro manner will score you a few extra points.
Another reason for spending Midsummer in the city is the eerie atmosphere: cities are virtually empty, and roaming the streets all alone is an exceptional feeling – a must for zombie film enthusiasts.
Cultural Beat
Contrast is the main ingredient in Finnish cultural life, probably because everything looks and sounds different from our northern perspective.
