St. John's Day (Jaanipäev) in Estonia

On June 24 is St. John's Day (Jaanipäev) in Estonia. This day is the most important day in the Estonian calendar, apart from Christmas. St. John's Day marks a change in the farming year, specifically the break between the completion of spring sowing and the hard work of summer hay-making.

The evening of June 23 is St. John's Eve. In the night between 23rd and 24th of June the people spent their time lighting bonfires. Then night is very short, night seems to be non-existent. Estonians all around the country will gather with their families, or at larger events to celebrate this important day with singing and dancing. People jump trough the flames on the bonfire for good luck.

This eve is important for lovers. They go into the forest looking for the flower of the fern which is said to bloom only on that night. 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.