nPosted on June 23, 2020
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Key points
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In Europe, this is the time of Midsummer festivals and of St. John’s Day and St. John’s Eve. In each nation, the holiday has a slightly different twist and of course a different name. In Norwegian, Jonsok means “wake of Saint John.”
In Europe, this is the time of Midsummer festivals and of St. John’s Day and St. John’s Eve. In each nation, the holiday has a slightly different twist and of course a different name. In Norwegian, Jonsok means “wake of Saint John.”n
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nI always think of lights and bonfires being important in mid-winter festivals (because those nights are so long and people miss the light – ESPECIALLY those who live in high latitudes, like Norwegians! But bonfires are super common in Midsummer festivals as well – including Jonsok.
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In earlier times, Jonsok was one of the biggest holidays of the year. Not only were bonfires common, but making and wearing flower wreaths, dancing around the maypole – all these traditions are familiar to other Midsummer holidays. Nowadays, many people celebrate by having cookouts, camping, or taking non-camp overnight trips. (Of course 2020-COVID-19 stuff might make changes to all the traditions.)
In earlier times, Jonsok was one of the biggest holidays of the year. Not only were bonfires common, but making and wearing flower wreaths, dancing around the maypole – all these traditions are familiar to other Midsummer holidays. Nowadays, many people celebrate by having cookouts, camping, or taking non-camp overnight trips. (Of course 2020-COVID-19 stuff might make changes to all the traditions.)n
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nBy the way, why is a maypole decorated in June, in Norway, when other nations make it the centerpiece of their May 1 holiday? Well, no flowers are blooming that early in Norway! Almost two months later and the longest day / shortest night of the year makes today great timing for a maypole!
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nOther Jonsok traditions include eating pancakes with butter and sugar, eating strawberries, telling fortunes.
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nAlso on this date:
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nnMidsummer Party in Denmark
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nnLuxembourg’s National Day
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nPink Flamingo Day
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nIndependence Day for Jura, Switzerland
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nSabantuy (AKA the Festival of the Plow)
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nAnniversary of Antarctica being set aside for science
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nLet It Go Day
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nAnniversary of the Completion of a Tree Troll
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nTypewriter Day
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nAnniversary of a Victory for “Mrs. Sherlock Holmes”
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nnJani
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Ratha Yatra beings in Puri
Ratha Yatra beings in Purin
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nPlan ahead:
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nCheck out my Pinterest boards for:
nCheck out my Pinterest boards for:
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nJune holidays
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nJune birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in June
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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
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nJuly holidays
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nJuly birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in July
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