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Ivan Kupala Night in Russia

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Since ancient times people in many countries celebrate the end of June turning point of summer - summer solstice.

Russia’s variation of this a holiday is Ivan Kupala Night. In 2016 it is celebrated from 6-7 July at night.

 

It is mysterious and funny holiday with many rituals, old songs and Russian folklore activities such as divination, fire jumping or legends telling.

Today in modern Russia this holiday combines different Russian Christian and pagan traditions. Kupalo, a fertility god, got the name Ivan when John the Baptist (Ivan Krestitel') baptized Russia. In his honor in Middle Ages Russians started to celebrate Kupala night with different traditions, including key one - jumping over bonfire (cleaning souls through fire).

 

During the day before Kupala night girls make wreaths and at night through them into water. The sinking wreath meant bad luck in love. Sometimes girls through together two wreaths as a symbol of strong couple and watch whether the wreaths will sale together - if not - the marriage will be unhappy. Along with jumping through bonfire Russians do purifying soul ritual night swim and look for a flower of midnight fern. According to national legend it fern may bloom at midnight and nonexistent in nature fiery flower will point those who will see it the way to a buried treasure.

 

Some Russians believe that at Kupala night all evil come into play too. Witches, werewolves, satyrs and other creatures appear and try to harm us. People like to stay this night outdoors in the country side and tell horror stories drinking Russian famous beverages such as kvas or vodka.