Little by little the most exciting and the most merry of all summer holidays is drawing nearer.

Traditions of the Past

On the 23rd of June, on the midsummer night eve, the women were gathering the medicinal herbs. It was believed, that those herbs had not only the medical but also the magic power. The particular significance is given to the different wild flowers; people thought some of them could treat for 99 illnesses. The unmarried girls, having put on white-white clothes, ran to the fields to make a wreath. The wreaths had to be made from the nine or twelve different herbs — white and red clover, camomiles and other wild flowers. As usual each girl braided two wreaths, the first — to decorate the head, and the second — to predict the future. This was one of the most lyrical and waggish parts of the preparation to the holiday. In the evening the men went around the fields. On the midsummer night eve mystery and hope comprehended the works of the people. Fortune Telling and Guessing

The shortest nights and the longest days, just as the longest nights and the shortest days during the Christmas are accompanied with the fortune telling and magic. The greatest mystery dissembles in the night. In the midnight everyone goes out hoping to find the fern flower — the symbol of happiness and the clairvoyance. If somebody finds it, he is gifted with the supernatural abilities, becomes clever, happy, gets known all the mysteries, begins to understand the language of the birds, and learns about where the riches are hidden. Those who are willing to find such a flower have to overcome a great number of obstacles: he must go absolutely alone, somewhere about eleven and twelve hours in the night, before going it is necessary to make a confession, to pray frankly, and in no circumstances not to turn around after entering the wood. The place must be so far from the living place that nor the voices of people neither the crowing of a cock and the barking of the dog could reach it. After having chosen such a place, the seeker lays the white kerchief or the silk shawl, outlines the circle with the stick or the hallowed chalk, puts the crock with hallowed water near himself, lights a candle, kneels, prays and, not turning around, waits for the appearance of the shining, just as the diamond or a small bright star, flower. While he prays evils and witches frighten him. If the flower is found it should be carefully saved —an incision must be made in the hand or in the breast and the flower must be hidden there. But until now nobody succeed in protecting that flower.

Symbolism of a Holiday

Particular honor is given to the sun and fire. People thank the sun for the light and warmth it gives. That’s why this holiday is celebrated outside, near the big fire. The fire is kindled on the high, well-seen hill. It was believed that the more are would be lightened the better harvest would be in autumn. That fire was considered to be an unusual one — protecting from different illnesses. When the night ends, people jump over the fire. If the girl and the guy jump over the fire together, the wedding is waiting for them.

The Midsummer Night Nowadays

Jonas, Janina, Jone — perhaps are one of the most popular names not only in Lithuania but in whole the world, too: in Latvia — Jãnis, in Russia — Ivanas, in England — John, in France — Jean. In our country in the evening the men bring the branches of the oak from which the women braid garlands. And when it gets dark, the doors of each Jonas are decorated with them. In some regions of Lithuania a little present is hanged up to the door-handle. Though the houses of those whose name day it is are decorated at night, their duty is to catch those who congratulate and to treat them with bear, cheese, pie… Midsummer night this year

In June 22 at 6:00 p.m. you are welcome at the ceremony of the Midsummer Night Gates.
6:05 p.m. Children fork ensemble programme
6:45 p.m. Folk programme
8:00 p.m. Concerts
9:30 p.m. Folk party
10:45 p.m. Lighting of fires at the branch of the river Neris. Fire of miracles. Wreaths in the river.
11:45 p.m. Fireworks at the centre of the river.
0:0 Disco (Lithuanian music groups “ÞAS”, “Merlin“ and other)

In June 23 you are welcome to celebrate the Midsummers Night at the Tauras Hill in Vilnius.
4:00 p.m. “Kapela“, “Sweet Jazz band”
7:00 p.m. Country choir
8:00 p.m. Midsummer Night Concert (Þ.Þvagulis, I.Staroðaitë, J.Miðèiukaitë, „Studija“, „Saulës klioðas“ and other)

In June 23 Midsummer Night Sports party will be organized. The party will begin at 11 a.m. Running around the Balsys Lake and other competitions will be organised.

In June 22 and 23 at 11 a.m. tours with pink bicycles around Verkiai regional park will be organized. Participants of this event will visit Architecture Ensemble of Verkiai Hall, will get acquainted with the nature of surroundings of Þalieji eþerai (the Green lakes), of small rivers Turniðkë and Rieðë.

And of course the greatest parties are expected in the countryside. In June 22 a fiery Midsummer Night flower will blossom in a lake in Trakai. Traditional Midsummer party in Kernavë and in the ethnography villa in Rumðiðkës invites you in June 23-24.