It is clear that the solstice occurs not only in Latvia, but also all over the world. It should be noted that the traditions of celebrating it also differ in each country - it depends on the cultural and historical heritage of each country. It is interesting to see how the name of the summer solstice changes depending on the location of the country, for example;
- Sankt Thann (Denmark);
- Midsummer's Day (Estonia);
- Joninės, Rasos, Rasa, Kupolės, Midsummer (Lithuania);
- Johanni, Midsummer Night (Germany);
- Midsommar, Den helige Johannes Döparens dag (Sweden)
- Ivanjski krijesovi (Croatia);
- Midsummer's Eve (Poland);
- Fête de la Saint-Jean (France);
- Festa Junina (Portugal).
The word “solstice” comes from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “stitium” (still or stopped). Neolithic people may have originally begun observing the summer solstice as a marker for figuring out when to plant and harvest crops. In ancient Egypt, the summer solstice corresponded to the rising of the Nile River. Observing it may have helped predict annual floods. According to some ancient Greek calendars, the summer solstice marked the beginning of the New Year.
Whichever way we turn, all cultures highly value the gathering of medicinal plants and the lighting of bonfires on the shortest night of the year, and the rituals associated with it do not disappear.