Midsummer´s night
The celebration of Midsummer’s Eve has its origins in the pagan celebration related to the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice is the time when we have the longest day of the year and the shortest night. This day is usually the 21st or 22nd of June; nowadays, due to the Catholic religion, St. John’s Eve celebrations are held on the 24th of June with the summer solstice.
In many European countries, the night of the summer solstice is celebrated with fire, such as Spain, Portugal, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, etc. From this extension, it can be said that the origin of this ritual in Europe comes from the ancient Indo-European culture.
The Celts probably brought this ritual to the Basque Country around 3000 years ago. Since then it has remained internalised in our customs, but it was assimilated and adapted by Christianity, like other pagan celebrations, and today it is celebrated together with the day of Saint John the Baptist, the Catholic saint.
The best known custom is to light a fire at the entrance to the farmhouse and in the village squares. Tree branches and old junk are burnt there, in the belief of a renewal of cleanliness, on the magical night, which is celebrated in a festive atmosphere. According to tradition, this fire is a free protector against natural phenomena and the smoke coming out of the flames cures some illnesses.
Antzeko Artikuluak
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