Juhannus (summer solstice/midsummer) is one of the biggest and most popular celebrations in Finland. It is celebrated on the Saturday that falls between June 20th and 26th, when the days are the longest and the sun barely sets (and in fact DOESN'T set at all in the northern part of Finland). Juhannus actually refers to the commemoration day of John (Johannes in Finnish) the Baptist, but many of the customs associated with Juhannus derive from the pre-Christian festival of light and fertility. For most Finns, this holiday has no religious meaning, and in fact, for many it is a time to drink and hang out with friends and/or family, often at summer cottages or in larger gatherings of people in public places of celebration. Camping is also popular over the Juhannus weekend. Larger, organized Juhannus gatherings often include dancing and singing folk songs, and sometimes also wearing of national costumes. Close to midnight, but sometimes as early as 9 or 10 pm, a kokko (a huge bonfire) is set on fire near lakes or on vessels on lakes, where larger gatherings take place. The burning of kokko used to be associated with beliefs about cleansing and the banishing of evil spirits.

Our Juhannus aatto (Midsummer's eve; June 25th in 2004) was spent with Riia's mom, our friend Pirjo, and Pirjo's mom Anja in Nastola, Finland, where Riia & Pirjo grew up. Nothing rowdy, just a nice and fun secluded midsummer's eve at Anja & Pirjo's cottage by Lake Ruuhijärvi. We're all too old to party hard! :)