Latvia
Having Fun
at Summer Solstice Holiday
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The most Latvian holiday of all is – JÄņi or "Liigo!", the night from June 23 to June 24 (in harmony with the summer solstice), when people participate in joyous festivities just as their ancestors did centuries ago. JÄņi was originally a festival for pagan farmers that existed long before the arrival of Christianity and the traditions of the festival remain immensely popular to this day.
One can buy everything he or she needs for a proper celebration at the annual Herbal Market on Dome Square where vendors sell not only the traditional attributes for JÄņi festivities – garlands, oak-leaf or flower crowns and wild flowers, but also local farm produce. Plenty of food is a must as celebrations last all day and night!One must not sleep on JÄņi night! Sleeping is only allowed after sunrise. At dawn, one should walk through the morning dew – this brings money. And those who wash their face in the dew are guaranteed beauty.
