Today is Juhannus in Finland –
a celebration of the Summer Solstice and its nightless night as well as of John
the Baptist. Juhannus is one of the most important holidays and held on
Saturday between 20 – 26 June.
The celebration
starts on the Friday with most of the Finns travelling to their mökki (summer
cottage) in the countryside together with family and/or friends.
The mökki is
decorated with birch branches to insure future happiness and flowers to welcome
the summer.
On the menu are new
potatoes, grilled sausages & meat and strawberries. Then it’s time to enjoy your
sauna, not forgetting to gently beat yourself with the vihta (leafy boughs of
birch). Traditional Finnish songs are played all night long.
Closer to midnight, everyone
heads to see the star of the night, the kokko (bonfire).
Happy Juhannus to
all and let’s welcome the summer!
-c-
-c-
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