Midsummer

On June 21 Finland celebrates the Midsummer festival. Traditionally Midsummer is celebrated by all Finns at the summer solstice, and people tend to escape to their summer cottages to leave the cities empty. 

In the Finnish Midsummer celebration, bonfires play a very important part. They are burnt at lakesides and by the sea. In addition, two young birch trees are often placed on both sides of the front door to welcome visitors. In Midsummer night, a sauna is typically heated and remains heated for a number of hours.  Family and friends are invited to bathe and to grill. In folk magic, midsummer was a very potent night and  time for many small rituals, mostly for young maidens seeking suitors and fertility.

Midsummer Day is also the Day of the Finnish Flag.

Our children and grandchildren are coming to celebrate Midsummer with us and spend their summer holidays at our summer cottage.
 I'll come back again after two weeks - about :)

Happy Midsummer to all of you!