Midsummer Festivities celebrated the longest day of the year in late June when the sun is at its furthest point from the equator. It’s also the shortest night. Humans have done this for millennia. Imagine our ancient ancestors standing at Stonehenge or another prehistoric structure precisely aligned to the movements of the sun.
These early celebrations transformed with the arrival of Christianity. By the 19th century, the church combined supposed pagan solstice rituals and with St John’s Day in honor St John the Baptist.
Although Summer Solstice is observed globally, Midsummer festivities depicted in this story are from Nordic and Baltic countries and across Europe. While each region has its own unique customs, a few activities are common to many. Among them are massive summer bonfires, traditional folk dancing, lively feasting, maypole dancing, forest folklore and magic.
Historic transformations aside, Midsummer Festivities still display a profound connection to nature and joyful celebration. Following are a few spectacular paintings and images celebrating the summer solstice.
Bonfires Lit The Shortest Night Of The Year
Midsummer Festivities would be nothing without a raging bonfire.
According to the National Trust UK:
“Lighting and jumping over bonfires on Midsummer’s Eve dates back to pre-Christian pagan customs. It was thought to keep demons away and bring good luck to lovers.” (National Trust UK)
In Northern and Western Europe, massive fires were lit on shorelines and hillsides.
Paintings by Norwegian born Nikolai Astrup depict Midsummer Festivals with locals circling spectacular bonfires.
Paintings by Norwegian born Nikolai Astrup depict Midsummer Festivals with locals circling spectacular bonfires.
P.S. Kroyer, a member of the Skagen Painters, shows townspeople dressed up and circling a bonfire to sing a Danish the Midsommervisen, a hymn for the Midsummer Festivities.
In Denmark, effigies of witches were burned to ward off evil spirits. In some Norwegian towns, people burned old wooden boats for kindling.
Norway holds the record for the biggest midsummer-eve bonfire. It was piled more than 150 feet tall in 2016.
Midsummer Magic Made Dreams Come True
Mysticism and magic mark Midsummer Festivities around the world, with Magic believed to be strongest during the summer solstice. Particularly in the UK, stories were told of the world turned upside down or the sun standing still at midsummer. It was a time when fairies and spirits could connect with the human world.
Midsummer Festivities in Iceland still have a healthy does of magical superstition. House elves They are called Huldufólk, meaning the hidden people.
According to Polar Tours:
“It is said that if you sit at the crossroads on Midsummerʼs eve, elves will come to you from all four directions, beckoning and offering you untold riches. But no matter how tempting they are, you must never go with them, or you will be driven mad. If you manage to hold out until dawn, however, the elves will vanish, leaving their treasure behind.” (Polar Tours)
People Reykjavik gather late at night to watch the sun dip below the horizon before rising back up again, “an eerie and awe-inspiring sight.” (Polar Tours)
Midsummer Festivities in Greenland are a national holiday known as ʻUllorteneqʼ, which means ʻthe longest dayʼ. It’s a patriotic event followed by music and folk dancing with many locals wearing traditional costumes.
“In Ilulissat in southern Greenland the midnight sun lasts for two whole months, and up in Qaanaaq in the north, for three and a half months.” (Polar Tours)
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