A Harmonious Holiday
http://www.mapzones.com/world/europe/finland/mapindex.php
Abstract
Midsummer is a holiday celebrated in Finland . The roots date back to religious reasons and are pre-Christianity. The celebration takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Finns like to get out of the city for the holidays and rent cottages in the country to be able to relax and spend time with their families. Maypoles and bonfires are important in celebrating Midsummer, but the most important part is spending time with the people that are important. Midsummer is a festivity that brings out the best in Finns everywhere and it is a celebration bringing the people of Finland together.
A Maypole
used to celebrate Midsummer in Finland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26052
A
traditional bonfire burned in celebration of Midsummer
Introduction
Midsummer is one of the most popular festivities in Finland . It is a time when Finns relax, celebrate, and spend time with nature. “The term celebration can encompass festivities, rituals, ceremonies, spectacles pageants, fetes, holidays, and extravaganzas, and partakes all of these elements,” (Dorson 1982c:33). Midsummer is a religious and folkloric celebration that has its routes in paganism but has been adapted as a Finnish celebration of life, nature, and warm weather (Thompson 2000c). It is said that Midsummer brings out the best in all the celebrators and that everyone can enjoy the holiday. The holiday is associated with spending time with family and relaxing at their cottages in nature.
Context of Finland
Finland is located in northern Europe, with neighboring countries Sweden , Norway , and Russia . The country has cold winters and warm summers. Because of how far north Finland is, beyond the Arctic Circle , the sun does not set for 73 days, thus being called the white nights of summer. Also in this region, there is a period of 51 days where the sun does not raise above the horizon, creating the polar nights (Factsheet Finland , www.Factsheet.com ).
Because of the average temperatures and the weather conditions in Finland 's agricultural is difficult, but there are still resources to be able to use for agriculture and the short growing season is made up for by the amount of daylight (Country Profile, www.icid.org ).
The Finns original home was in Siberia, but they were pushed into more remote regions of northern Europe . Until 1917, Finland remained part of the Russian Empire. Finland fought for the Soviet Union in World War II, even though they had claimed their independence in 1917. Although there were treaties signed, the Soviet Union still had obligations and restraints for Finland , until the dissolution of the Soviet Union (A Short History, www.abacci.com ).
After this, Finland applied for membership of the European Union. All of this started by having a popular vote directly elect the president. Finland is now completely run by a president and a parliament. Their biggest project in the works is being in the last phase of the European Monetary Unit. This is where all the members of the European Union get the same currency, the Euro (Rydman 1999c).
Origins of Midsummer
Midsummer has existed starting in pre-Christian times, customs celebrating the middle of summer and the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. It was originated in Wales and was celebrated because the seasons and the solstice were so important them and they endured a very hard life so they enjoyed celebrating ( www.lavenderwater.tripod.com ).
There is also folklore behind the way that the Finns celebrate Midsummer Night. People in Northern Europe believed that there was a special healing power that plants and water possessed, but only during that night. Some of this folklore is reflected in the traditions of today. Many parents send their daughters out to pick a bouquet of flowers alone and then they put it under their pillows because they are said to then dream of their future husband. All houses throughout Scandinavia are decorated with flowers and birch trees ( www.scandinavica.com ).
Performance
The celebration of Midsummer is performed by escaping to the country for some days of celebration and relaxation. It is a celebration of food, family, and spirits that brings out the best in everyone. Families eat; participate in dancing around maypoles, lighting bonfires, and celebrating the folklore and tradition of the summer holiday ( virtualfinland.fi ).
Artifact
A major artifact that is used during the celebration of Midsummer is the maypole. The maypole is a pole decorated in birch and flowers, and is a phallic symbol that is still used, but only in parts of Finland . Part of the celebration is to dance around the maypole, sing songs, and play games. This tradition came about as fertility rituals, and “impregnating” Mother Nature. Many believe that maypoles bring fertility and young girls pick flowers of the same kind as from the maypole and put them under their pillow hoping that in their dreams will reveal their future husbands and families ( hem.passagen.se ).
Interpretation
Prognosis for Midsummer
Midsummer is a celebration that has been celebrated throughout the years, and continues to be celebrated currently. Every year the people of Finland look forward to getting away from the cities, relaxing a celebrating the longest day of the year with their families and friends (Wallijaper 1993c). Although this tradition started back in pre-Christian times, it is still a holiday that people like to celebrate and will continue to celebrate throughout the upcoming years.
Conclusion
Midsummer combines tradition and history with a love of relaxation, nature, and celebration. The people of Finland celebrate the Midsummer holiday by retreating to cabins to get in touch with their family and the natural; world. Midsummer has it's roots in religion but now is a national holiday that is celebrated by all, and will continue to be celebrated, and the traditions of bonfires, maypoles, and escaping to nature will be passed down from generation to generation.
Internet References Cited
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Typical web site explaining a good description of Finland , and some of its history:
“A Short History of Finland .” Abacci Atlas . 2004. HighBeam Research, LLC. 21 September 2004. < http://www.abacci.com/atlas/history.asp?countryID=196 >
A web site containing a virtual tour and many good descriptions of the happenings during the Midsummer holiday:
Brady, Joe. “Midsummer in Finland .” 5 June 2000. Virtual Finland . 21 October 2004. < http://virtualfinland.fi/finfo/english/juhannus >
Profile of the country containing all the major facts about the country:
“Country Profile-Finland.” Directory-Finland. 21 September 2004. < http://www.icid.org/cp_finland.html#cp >
A web site containing important facts about the country:
“Factsheet Finland .” Your Window On Finland . 2001. Virtual Finland . 21 September 2004. < http://virtual.finland.fi/finfo/english/facteng.html >
A web site about Midsummer and the other celebrations that are celebrated in Finland :
“ Finland Celebrates Finnish-Style.” 21 October 2004. < http://www.publiscan.fi/b111e-7.htm >
A web site containing information about the symbols of Midsummer:
“Midsummer.” 2004. Finnguide. 21 October 2004. < http://www.finnguide.fi/calendar/june.asp >
A web site containing information about the festivities that occur during the Midsummer holiday:
“Midsummer Festival.” 1999 Web Holidays, Inc. 21 October 2004. < http://www.web-holidays.com/midsum >
A web site explaining the celebrations that occur during the Midsummer holiday:
“Midsummer in Scandinavia .” 2001. 21 October 2004. < http://www.scandinavica.com/culture/tradition/midsummer.htm >
A web site discussing the origin of the Midsummer holiday:
“Midsummer; The Northern Hemisphere's Longest Day.” 21 October 2004. < http://lavenderwater.tripod.com/midsummer.htm >
A web site discussing the symbolism in light for celebrators of Midsummer:
“Midsummer's Eve; Take Care of the Light in the Midsummer Night.” June 2004. 21 October 2004. < http://hem.passagen.se/farila/midsum.htm >
A web site giving a brief history and quick facts about the country of Finland :
Rydman, Walter. “A Short History of Finland .” 1 July 1999. 21 October 2004. < http://www.physics.helsinki.fi/~fyl_iaps/icps99/finhist.html >
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
A reference book with information about different celebrations from around the world:
Dorson, Richard M. “Material Components in Celebration.” 1982
A classic reference exploring the different celebration of the world:
Hatch, Jane M. The American Book of Days: Third Edition . New York , The H. W. Wilson Company, 1978.
An article about the celebration of Midsummer and the origins of the holiday:
Hofstadter, D. “Midsummer Magic in the Lands of the Midnight Sun.” New York Times Magazine. March 12, 1989. Vol 138
A book containing information about the symbolism and symbols in celebrations:
Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols: Second Edition . Detroit , Michigan : Omnigraphics, 2000.
A reference title containing history and facts about holidays and anniversaries throughout the United States and other countries:
Trawicky. Bernard. Anniversaries and Holidays: Fifth Edition . Chicago : American Library Association, 2000
An article discussing some of the practices of Midsummer in Finland :
Walljasper, Jay. “Midsummer night is more than a dream.” Utne Reader . Jul/Aug 1993.