Slavic Ivana Kupala Day, also known as Kupala Night, is a historical and rather popular holiday that Slavic people celebrate on the night of July 6 or 7. Slavic countries celebrate the summer solstice, and on this night, people perform lots of rituals. Especially relevantly, this holiday is celebrated in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Poland.
This holiday has a deep history in early mythology. However, it was a pagan fertility rite that was later accepted into the Orthodox Christian calendar. It coincides with the celebration of St. John’s Day in Western Europe. Slavic name Ivan combines with John the Baptist, and that is why this day is considered to be a pagan celebration. Nevertheless, Ivana Kupala Day is an observance day only and not a public holiday in Ukraine.
Slavic traditions and what people do
More relevantly, Slavic Kupala Night is rather rich with its superstitions, rituals, and ceremonies. On this very day, fire and water are sacred. They have purifying qualities. People wash in a river, pond, or lake, and in such a way, they get rid of negative energy and evil.
This is a festival of beauty, youth, and loving hearts. However, ladies make various drinks and give them to guys. After they jump together over the fire while holding their hands tightly. If they do not split their hand whilst jumping over this fire they will be a happy couple and most likely will stay together forever. Ladies always float wreaths of flowers with candles over the river. The way this wreath flows is a road to lady’s future boyfriend and probably future spouse. There are numerous poems and songs people sing on this very night. Young people are having fun and do not sleep until the sunrise. Couples usually meet a fabulous sunrise together and make wishes. Hence, people like wearing national clothes and singing folk songs, playing national musical instruments.
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Olga loves travelling and learning about different cultures. She enjoys taking photos, trying new foods, and spending time outdoors. A skilled writer, Olga is a language enthusiast as well. She enjoys meeting new people from around the world and trying out new recipes in her kitchen.
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