The biggest festive time in Finland i.e. Midsummer festival - enjoy the longest day of the year tomorrow and remember to keep you fly closed when in a boat!
Merry midsummer's eve! BBQ time! [cool]
Merry midsummer's eve! BBQ time! [cool]
Merry Midsummer's Eve everyone
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AlexThePalex
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Thanks Reiska, and I wish the same to you. But I must admit I never heard about this day being celebrated, it is not something we celebrate over here.
Slartibartfass
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Happy celebration. If I would be living in Finland I would be celebrating this too considering how far up north you folks are and how long the night is in the winter.... Let there be some sunshine. Bring out the Cooltainer fully loaded....
SittingElf
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A history lesson:
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).[12]
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.[5][13] Often branches from birch trees (koivu) are placed on both side of the front door to welcome visitors.[14] Swedish-speaking Finns often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole (Swedish midsommarstång, majstång).[15] 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.[16]
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 and +30 °C, with an average of about 20 °C 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.[17]
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 pm on Midsummer's Eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening.[17] Finnish Canadians in the New Finland district, Saskatchewan, Canada celebrate Juhannus.[18]
__________
Here endeth the lesson... but oh how I wish SOME of the former traditions were still practiced!! [drooling] [not worthy] [tongue]
Cheers,
Frank
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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).[12]
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.[5][13] Often branches from birch trees (koivu) are placed on both side of the front door to welcome visitors.[14] Swedish-speaking Finns often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole (Swedish midsommarstång, majstång).[15] 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.[16]
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 and +30 °C, with an average of about 20 °C 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.[17]
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 pm on Midsummer's Eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening.[17] Finnish Canadians in the New Finland district, Saskatchewan, Canada celebrate Juhannus.[18]
__________
Here endeth the lesson... but oh how I wish SOME of the former traditions were still practiced!! [drooling] [not worthy] [tongue]
Cheers,
Frank
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Attachments
Slartibartfass
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Thanks for putting the picture in my mind with the well..... Now I'm all excited and I cannot concentrate anymore..... getting hot hear.....
Reiska
I don't post on FOG often but I saw this and had to comment, my wife and I will be celebrating tomorrow evening with a lively party with close friends and family. The sauna will be fired up and we will be grilling many 'makkara' (sausages)! We may also have a few beers! ;D Many Canadian Finns are prepared to celebrate this weekend!
Hyvää juhannusta!
I don't post on FOG often but I saw this and had to comment, my wife and I will be celebrating tomorrow evening with a lively party with close friends and family. The sauna will be fired up and we will be grilling many 'makkara' (sausages)! We may also have a few beers! ;D Many Canadian Finns are prepared to celebrate this weekend!
Hyvää juhannusta!
charley1968
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Kiitos paljon ja hyvää juhannusta!
TheTassieBFG
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And a chilly Mid Winters night from the other side of Axial Tilt.. enjoy your festivities
SittingElf
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Untidy Shop said:
Hmmm.... don't know that one. I have to rely on expert wine reviews and the Shiraz is not mentioned....
[big grin]
Frank
SittingElf
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Works just fine. It was never a video. The piece was originally on a record album. Never on TV or Video, so the YouTube post is just the audio as originally published on the album.
Don't you EVER question my knowledge of Monty Python trivia! [mad] I am the ultimate authority...know every sketch, recording, and stage show. Dates, Deaths, and Disasters. Got it?! [bite tongue]
"There is nothing more dangerous than a wounded mosquito". - Monty Python (circa 1970)
[big grin]
Cheers,
Frank
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