Midsummer Day Celebration on Saaremaa!
Irene and Deane Kerbes
The Midsummer Solstice, or Jaanipäev, celebration dates back to the pre-Christian era and has continued from generation to generation. On the Island of Saaremaa, the second-largest island in the Baltic Sea, Jaanipäeva celebrations continued unabated during the Soviet occupation and preserved important cultural traditions. With the arrival of Estonian Independence in 1991, Midsummer Eve, with bonfires in public places and in private backyards, coupled with Independence Day celebrations, continue to attract locals and tourists from the mainland of Estonia and abroad.
Poetess Debora Vaaran di made Saaremaa's Midsummer Days famous with her poem "Saaremaa Waltz" which was later melodized by composer Raim ond Va lgre. The lyrics of th is song are well known especially for Est onians and Finns , and George Ots’s rendition is very popular. The song tells a story about a wonderful Midsummer Day on Saaremaa.
Midsummer Day as an enduring Estonian custom is of cours e much older than the song . On June 23, St John's Eve or Midsummer Eve, bonfires have always been lit. In coastal areas old boats or hulks were burnt in bonfires. It is popular custom to look for a "f ern flower " at Midsumm er Night. The finder will become rich and happy, and will know the languages of birds, anim als and people. People have sometimes called glittering glow-worms the "fern- flowers". And they were looked for in the same way as fern-flowers were . It was believed that anyone who brings a glow-worm home will be happy, but someone who kills the worm will find his house on fire . Near Kaarma, Saaremaa, it was believed that if you find a horse-shoe before Midsummer Day and throw it over your head, you will be happy. Diligent farmers wanted to get most of their hay made and under shelter before Midsummer Day, as before that day the hay has honey in it, afterwards it has water. A Midsummer involves merry-making with homemade beer, accompanied by the traditional accordion and singing.
Bonfires and Summer Solstice celebrations go hand in hand, It is the ideal time to gather for dancing and singing around bonfires together with good friends and relatives, and to sip the strong homemade beer of Saaremaa.
The Kerbes's, Deane, Irene, Margaret Pelto, and Eldon Kerbes saw the preparations on Saaremaa, but had pr evi ou s pl ans to celebrate Midsummer Day in Tallinn with the Anstal family at Rocca La Mare near Tallinn. There were three parties on at one go!
