St John's Day (Estonia) facts for kids

Jaanipäev (which means St John's Day in English) and Jaaniõhtu (Saint John's Eve) are super important holidays in Estonia. They are almost as big as Christmas for Estonians!

These holidays happen on the night between June 23 and 24. This is just a few days after the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Estonians love their short summers, with long days and bright nights. So, this holiday is very special to them.

The History of Jaanipäev Celebrations

Jaanipäev has been celebrated in Estonia for a very long time. People enjoyed this holiday even before Christianity came to the country. When Christianity arrived, the celebration got its new name, Jaanipäev.

Even with the new name, many old traditions stayed. In 1578, a writer named Balthasar Russow wrote about how Estonians loved to feast. He said they cared more about lighting bonfires, dancing, and singing than going to church.

Jaanipäev and Estonian Independence

Jaanipäev became even more meaningful for Estonians during the Estonian War of Independence. On June 23, 1919, Estonian forces won an important battle against German troops. This victory happened on Jaaniõhtu.

Because of this, the holiday became a symbol of freedom and independence. The traditional bonfires now also remind people of this important win.

Why Jaanipäev is Important

Jaanipäev marks a special time in the farming year. It's the break between planting crops in spring and the hard work of making hay in summer.

On Jaaniõhtu, families and friends gather all over Estonia. They celebrate with singing and dancing, just as Estonians have done for hundreds of years.

Fun Traditions and Beliefs

Many Jaanipäev traditions come from old folk tales. The most famous one is lighting a big bonfire. People then jump over the fire! This is believed to bring good luck and keep bad things away.

If you don't light a fire, some believe your house might burn down. The fire also scares away mischievous spirits. These spirits avoid the fire, which helps ensure a good harvest. So, the bigger the fire, the safer the harvest!

Love and Magic on Midsummer's Eve

Midsummer's Eve is also a special night for people in love. There's an Estonian fairy tale about two lovers, Koit (dawn) and Hämarik (dusk). They only see each other once a year, on the shortest night. They share a quick kiss before dawn.

Real-life lovers sometimes go into the forest looking for the Fern flower. This special flower is said to bloom only on this one magical night. (But ferns don't actually have flowers!) Also, single people can follow old instructions using different flowers to find out who they will marry.

Ancient Connections

Former Estonian President Lennart Meri wrote about Jaanipäev in his book Hõbevalge. He thought that the traditions might be linked to the fall of the Kaali meteorite in Saaremaa. This meteorite crash might have inspired old stories about the sun falling to Earth. This idea suggests that today's bonfires connect Estonians to their very ancient past.

Jaanipäev During Soviet Times

During the time Estonia was under Soviet rule, people still celebrated Jaanipäev. The Soviets didn't try to stop it. But for Estonians, Jaanipäev always reminded them of their victory in the War of Independence. It was a quiet way to remember their past freedom.

Before the Soviet time, the Estonian President would light a special fire on the morning of Võidupüha (June 23). This "flame of independence" was then carried across the country. It was used to light all the other bonfires. This tradition has now been brought back.

When Estonia was becoming independent again, Jaanipäev became an unofficial holiday. Many workplaces closed. In 1992, it officially became a national holiday once more.