Summer Solstice Celebrations Across the World
June 20th, 2009 by Victoria Nguyen
Meaning “the sun stands still” in Latin, the summer solstice marks the beginning of summer for those living in the Northern hemisphere. The event, which takes place annually on June 21, gives earthlings our longest hours of sunlight in a day. Early civilizations have long regarded this celestial event as a day of reverence to the life-giving sun, and to this day, nations still find special ways to celebrate summer’s arrival. Here is a little glimpse into how your global neighbors are ringing in the summer season.
Midsommardagen, or Midsummer Festival, in Sweden
On the weekend closest to June 24, the Swedes celebrate one of their biggest – and arguably the most important – holidays: Midsommardagen. The celebration, which honors the summer solstice and Saint John, generally lasts from June 19-25. Midsommardagen is thought to originate from the Vikings and holds many traditions. For instance, single Swedish ladies often place up to nine different flowers beneath her pillow to dream of her future love. Additionally, maypoles are decorated and danced around, while new potatoes of the season are picked to create traditional Swedish dishes.
The Around Admiralty “Spirit of Adventure” Sailboat Race in Juneau, Alaska
Each year, the Juneau Yacht Club hosts the longest inland water race in the North American West Coast. Beginning and ending in Juneau, Alaska, the 192-mile overnight sailboat race takes sailors around Admiralty Island National Monument. The race, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, showcases the best of Alaska’s natural landscape and wildlife: snowcapped mountains sit majestically in the horizon, while groups of sea lions, Orcas and Humpback whales are often spotted along the racecourse. Beginning on June 20, the seven-day adventure is led with the full moon overhead, the sunset to the west and the dawn’s light approaching in the east.
For more information, visit www.juneauyachtclub.com
Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England
It’s been described as a spiritual experience. Every year, thousands of people flock to Stonehenge to silently observe the solstice morning creep over the site’s ancient and mysterious stone monuments. Many visitors spend the night from sundown the night before to watch the sun rise on June 21, usually at 4:45 a.m. While past events have been known to be violent, the celebration is now known for its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Families, travelers, pagans and party people unite for a festival of dance, food, music, and of course – light.
For more information, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Festa Junina, or June Festivals, in Brazil
Though it is technically the beginning of the Brazilian winter, Festa Junina is a countrywide celebration that is originally born from European summer solstice festivals. The festival, which can last up to two weeks, was brought to the Brazilians by the Portuguese, who rang in the summer solstice with bonfires. As a consequence, Festa Junina still traditionally begins with the burning of bonfires, though the focus of the festival has shifted away from a sun celebration to a celebration of Catholic saints (namely Saint Anthony, Saint John, and Saint Peter). Compared to Carnival, Festa Junina is celebrated in both rural and urban areas of Brazil, and features fanciful costumes, square dancing, accordion music, and corn dishes. Brazil’s two largest Festa Junina festivals take place in Caruaru, Pernambuco and Campina Grande, Paraiba.
By Victoria Nguyen, editorial.
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