Summer season solstice is a millennia-old celebration of mysterious traditions and legendary rituals.
Often known as midsummer, it happens annually in every hemisphere when the Earth’s axis is at most tilt in direction of the solar (when the poles are tilted furthest from the solar, this is called the winter solstice).
Falling on 21 June this yr, the occasion will mark the longest day of the yr and sign the astronomical begin of summer time.
Many international locations in Europe have fun midsummer across the themes of faith and fertility and with actions like conventional dancing, leaping over bonfires or ocean bathing.
If you wish to take part in festivities which have taken place for the reason that daybreak of historical past, listed below are three of the very best summer time solstice celebrations in Europe.
3. Stonehenge, UK: A New Age celebration for the ages
One of the vital iconic locations to welcome summer time is Stonehenge, an enigmatic ring of monumental stones that was constructed to align with the solar throughout solstices.
The construction stays shrouded in fantasy, as soon as thought to have been constructed by giants or the wizard Merlin and nonetheless on the coronary heart of alien conspiracy theories.
In the course of the summer time solstice, hundreds flock to the sacred website for the magical second when the solar rises behind the Heel Stone and the primary rays shine instantly into the centre of the circle.
This yr, the occasion shall be celebrated on the prehistoric World Heritage Website from 7 pm on 20 June to eight am on 21 June.
2. The Night time of San Juan, Spain: Purifying bonfires and midnight dips
Throughout Spain, revellers have fun midsummer through the Night time of San Juan, on 23 June.
The spectacular solstice celebrations are all in regards to the important components of fireside and water.
Individuals head to the nation’s seashores and construct big bonfires thought to purify and shield towards evil spirits.
It’s conventional to leap over the blaze a minimum of 3 times to burn away issues and produce success.
In some areas of Spain, celebrations embody a midnight dip within the ocean to purify the soul. In Alicante, effigies are burnt on the bonfires whereas in Barcelona, fireworks take centre stage.
1. Midsummer, Sweden: Flower garlands and midnight solar
For Swedes, the summer time solstice is likely one of the most cherished occasions of the yr, typically thought-about extra essential than Christmas.
The celebrations happen on 23-24 June this yr and see mates and households gathering collectively throughout the nation.
There are lengthy lunches with specialty meals like pickled herring with new potatoes, chives and bitter cream.
Contributors with flower decorations of their hair dance across the conventional maypole singing songs and ingesting loads of schnapps.
In the event you head north to the ski resort of Riksgränsen, you may have fun midsummer below the midnight solar.
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