Jaanipäev

our good friends Raimond and Mari-Liis
hygge..
Check me out, babes!:)
total beach-boy
Chill on the beach
pure estonian
mmmm.....feels fantastic

Andrus and Tarvo are cutting specific branches for sauna "spanking":)
A bonfire

A little barbeque...
People are gathering...

So, as you probably already know, on friday we had very important national holiday, "Jaanipäev", in english it is called Saint John ´s Day. It is very popular national holiday in our country and also in the future it will be one of the main holidays of Istland. So, girls, be prepared...:). I found some basic information from internet and I would like to share it with you, because you have to know everything about Jaanipäev! We will check your knowledge and if you fail, we will spank you!:))) I know that probably you like get punished...:):).

In Estonia, Jaaniõhtu (Midsummer's Eve) and Jaanipäev ("St John's Day") are the most important days in the calendar. The short summer seasons with long days and brief nights hold special significance for the people of Estonia. Jaanipäev is celebrated in the night between 23rd and 24th of June, few days after the Summer Solstice, when night seems to be non-existent.

Jaanipäev was celebrated long before the arrival of Christianity in Estonia, although the day was given its name by the crusaders. The arrival of Christianity, however, did not end pagan beliefs and fertility rituals surrounding this holiday.

For Estonians, Jaanipäev celebrations were merged with the celebration of Võidupüha (Victory Day) during the War of Independence (1918-1920) when Estonian forces defeated the German troops on 23 June 1919. After this battle against Estonia's traditional oppressors, Jaaniõhtu and the lighting of the traditional bonfires became linked with the ideals of independence and freedom.

Jaanipäev marks a change in the farming year, specifically the break between the completion of spring sowing and the hard work of summer hay-making.
Understandably, some of the rituals of Jaanipäev have very strong folkloric roots. The best-known Jaanik, or midsummer, ritual is the lighting of the bonfire and the jumping over it. This is seen as a way of guaranteeing prosperity and avoiding bad luck. Likewise, to not light the fire is to invite the destruction of your house by fire. The fire also frightened away mischievous spirits who avoided it at all costs, thus ensuring a good harvest. So, the bigger the fire, the further the mischievous spirits stayed away.
Midsummer's eve is important for lovers. Among Estonian fairy tales and literature there is the tale of two lovers, Koit (dawn) and Hämarik (dusk). These two lovers see each other only once a year and exchange the briefest of kisses on the shortest night of the year. Earth-bound lovers go into the forest looking for the flower of the fern which is said to bloom only on that night. Also on this night, single people can follow a detailed set of instructions to see whom they are going to marry.

On Jaaniõhtu, Estonians all around the country will gather with their families, or at larger events to celebrate this important day with singing and dancing, as Estonians have done for centuries.

This time me and Tarvo were invited to the summerhouse of one of our friends. We made fire, went to sauna, made sport, drank beer and had fun. We had a nice weekend.

Tanel