The Essence of Juhannus: Why We Should Honor This Celebration

Summer is approaching, and it is time again to celebrate Juhannus or midsummer. This is the summer solstice celebration, usually between the 20th and 26th of June. It is a national holiday in Finland, an important festivity with a special place on the calendar. Therefore, Finns look forward to it and start their summer holidays. However, foreigners also know about this important celebration in Finland; they happily participate in the festivity and enjoy the arrival of summer and brighter, warmer days. 

Juhannus, the Finnish name for Saint John, is a feast of new life in nature and a unique celebration of light and brightness, enjoying the long days and magnificent white nights of Nordic summer. This distinctiveness is what makes Juhannus a celebration worth experiencing.

Finns, foreigners, travelers, and whoever is in Finland during the midsummer enjoy this joyful time and the unique festivity of summer and the Juhannus. However, it would also be good to talk about some essential aspects of the Juhannus celebration and why keeping this beautiful tradition alive is necessary. 

Learning about Finnish culture, history, and tradition. 

A part of the richness of each country lies in its history, positive customs and traditions, nature, and landscapes. Indeed, in every land we live in, we can open our minds and hearts, feel at home, and try to find beauty and nice events to enjoy in various ways. This is not only to have fun but also to learn more about the multiple cultures and enrich ourselves even more. Therefore, celebrating Juhannus gives foreigners the fantastic opportunity to experience Finnish culture and traditions, create connections with some part of history, and learn more and expand our knowledge.

Connections with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscape and the Finnish environment

Indeed, we are all aware of Finland's richness in nature, forests, and lakes. Juhannus can give us all the unique possibility of connecting with all the beauty of nature and obtaining its many benefits, including health and wellbeing, joy, and entertainment in a respectful way. This can be gatherings with friends and family, participating in fun events such as sauna, bonfires, picnics, music, or dancing together in the middle of clean nature. 

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Building relationships and community

We all live in the same land of Finland, and life has brought us together to share values. We agree it is beautiful and beneficial to have a sense of belonging, share respectful ethical values, and have a happy, healthy life together. 

Juhannus could be a nice, wise way to strengthen the community, build more connections and relationships, and have even more fruitful friendships and unions between Finns and foreigners this way. 

Most Finns have cottages in the countryside, and they are happy to invite people there for Juhannus to have parties, dance, and sing together. Why not ask your friends who have cottages this year to invite new people, newcomers to Finland? We could suggest and organize new celebrations with different cuisines, different types of dance, or new music to bring. We could dance and celebrate the gift of life together and fill our hearts with joy and gratitude!

Wishing all our readers a lovely Juhannus celebration!

"Motes of dust dancing in the light

That's our dance, too.

We don't listen inside to hear the music---

No matter.

The dance of life goes on,

And in the joy of the sun

Is hiding a God."

―  Rumi —