Head Jaani, head inimesed!
Pildil: Paul möödunud suvel Muinastulede Ööl lõket süütamas, Aive pool Juminda rannas.
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JAANIPÄEV, yehaa!!!
On the pic' - Paul is lighting the fire on sea shore. August 2013, Estonia, Juminda Village.

/.../ St John's Eve (in Estonian: Jaaniõhtu) and St John's Day (Jaanipäev) are the most important days in the Estonian 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 June 23 and 24, a 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. In 1578, with some disgust, Balthasar Russow wrote in his Livonian Chronicle about Estonians who placed more importance on the festival than going to church. He complained about those who went to church, but did not enter, and instead spent their time lighting bonfires, drinking, dancing, singing and following pagan rituals./.../ Read more:

Well, what can I say. It was kinda difficult indeed for Estonians  to give up their 'pagan' rituals  just like that. Especially when their ancient spiritual belief system was about honouring the Spirits of Nature and Mother Earth and such. Crusaders chopping down Estonians holy groves as well as heads of their elders (not speaking of common folks) didn't help much either.

I'd rather not getting too detailed here, after all it's Midsummer Eve, the whole idea being to celebrate Light and Joy and Fertility and such. Dancing around the bonfires. Naked, if you wish:)
But if you'd like to find out why majority of Estonians still choose 'lighting bonfires, drinking, dancing, singing and following pagan rituals' on midsummer Eve instead of going to church, google 'Northern Crusades'. Simply put - if you'd like steak for your dinner and someone is saying you have to have pasta, would you go with pasta without even trying to exercise your free will, i.e. to get that steak? I don't think so. Pasta is delicious, but so is steak! Choice should be yours, shouldn't it?:)

Happy Midsummer to all Good People, keep your fires burning!
23/06/2014