Recently I went to a Get Finternational event, where I learnt all about Summer holiday time in Finland and the Finnish traditions and celebrations over the Summer period. Some of which I have described below.
Mother’s Day, äitienpäivä
In Finland Mother’s Day is celebrated on second Sunday of May. It is public holiday and it is traditional that on Mother’s Day the whole family gets together to celebrate mother and grandmothers. Children give gifts to mothers and perhaps she is taken out to eat. In any case it is traditional to spend the day with the family.
Ascension day, Helatorstai
Ascension Day, “Helatorstai“, has been celebrated since the fourth century, commemorates Christ’s ascension into heaven. It is celebrated forty days after Easter, the period during which, according to the Gospels, the appearances of the risen Christ continued. The details and chronology of the ascension are described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1.6-14)
Christ is one person of the Trinity, of one being with the Father. At his ascension, he returned to his ageless work in the glory of heaven. Yet he remains present in the midst of his people in word and sacraments. Christians are called to bring the message of the risen Lord to the whole world.
Midsummer in Finland
In Finland the summer solstice is called Ukon juhla (“Ukko’s celebration”) after the Finnish God Ukko. After the celebrations were Christianized, the holiday became known as juhannus after John the Baptist (Johannes Kastaja). Since 1955. The holiday has always been on a Saturday, between June 20 and June 26, but earlier it was always on June 24. Many of the celebrations of midsummer take place on midsummer eve, when many workplaces are closed and shops may close their doors at noon.
In the Finnish midsummer celebration, bonfires (kokko) are very common and are burned at lake-sides and by the sea. Often branches from birch trees (koivu) are placed on both side of the front door to welcome visitors. Swedish-speaking Finns often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole, which in Swedish is midsommarstång or majstång. Some Finland Swedes call the holiday Johannes after the Finnish term juhannus – or more accurately after the Biblical John the Baptist, “Johannes Döparen” in Swedish.
Midsummer Spells
In folk magic, midsummer was a very potent night and the time for many small rituals, mostly for young maidens seeking suitors and fertility. Will-o’-the-wisps were believed to appear at midsummer night, particularly to finders of the mythical “fern in bloom” and possessors of the “fern seed”, marking a treasure. In the old days, maidens would use special charms and bend over a well, naked, in order to see their future husband’s reflection. In another tradition that continues still today, an unmarried woman collects seven different flowers and places them under her pillow to dream of her future husband.
Midsummer night
An important feature of the midsummer in Finland is the white night and the midnight sun. Due to Finland’s location spanning around the Arctic Circle the nights near the midsummer day are short or non-existent. This gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time. The temperature can vary between 0 °C and +30 °C, with an average of about 20 °C in the South.
Where to spend Midsummer?
Many Finns leave the cities for Midsummer and spend time in the countryside. Nowadays many spend a few days there, and some Finns take their whole vacation in a cottage. Rituals include bonfires, cook-outs, a sauna and spending time together. Heavy drinking is also associated with the Finnish midsummer.
Many music festivals of all sizes are organized on the Midsummer weekend. It is also common to start summer holidays on Midsummer day. For many families the Midsummer is the time when they move to the countryside to their summer cottage by the sea or lake. Midsummer is also a Finnish Flag Day where the flag is hoisted at 6 pm on Midsummer’s Eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening.
The Night of Ancient bonfires, Muinaistulien yö
Traditionally, people living in the archipelago have lit bonfires on the last Saturday of August to bid the summer farewell. This night is traditionally last Saturday of August and one can go to beach to see the bonfires. Also number of places which are located in shore arrange different kind of events on this evening or night. Or one can take boat trip to see the bonfires. This is something that is being celebrated in coastal areas but not so much in inland.
Father’s Day, Isänpäivä
Father’s Day is celebrated on second Sunday of November. This is also public holiday and it is celebrated much the same manner that Mother’s Day but this time we celebrate farther and grandfathers.
Overall…
It was really interesting to hear about the Finnish traditions and celebrations throughout summer, as well as hearing the Finnish students experiences of Summer time in Finland. It was also interesting to hear about the other exchanged students celebrations and how they spend their time during the summer. Some of the celebrations are very different to my home country, so in comparison the summer would be quite different. For example, there are less celebrations in my home country throughout summer. Overall, the event gave me a lot of new information. Additionally, it has made me even more eager to return to Finland during the summer to experience it, as well as the celebrations and traditions associated with it.
24/04/2017.
Jessica's Journal. 