Finns celebrate midsummer with bonfires, tradition on Seurasaari Island
Held at the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, the event recreated countryside-style celebrations for locals and visitors.
Festivities began at around 6:30 p.m. local time with the raising of a maypole adorned with ribbons and greenery, a symbol of fertility and renewal. Throughout the evening, the crowd enjoy folk dancing, wreath-making, stilt walking, Finnish delicacies, and local crafts.
At dusk, several ceremonial bonfires were lit along the shore. Music and laughter continue late into the night.
"Juhannus is about light, nature, and togetherness," said festivalgoer Miikka Heikinen. "It's the heart of the Finnish summer."
Midsummer, officially observed on the Saturday between June 20 and 26, marks the longest day of the year. In northern Finland, the sun barely sets, while the south experiences only brief twilight.
The Seurasaari Midsummer celebration dates back over a century and has been organized annually since 1956.
Beyond Seurasaari, Helsinki offers additional Juhannus events, from nostalgic dance nights to scenic ferry rides and traditional saunas. Yet for many, the holiday is best spent at lakeside cottages, savoring nature and the glow of the midnight sun.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Feature: Love for gentle giants in Myanmar
YANGON, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- On the 70-acre grounds of Wingabaw Elephant Camp in Myanmar's Bago region, a gentle rain softens the earth and coats trees in shimmering droplets, setting a perfect backdrop for World Elephant Day celebrations on Tuesday. Wingabaw is one of more than 20 elephant conservation camps in Myanmar under the Elephant Conservation-Based Tourism (ECBT) program. On Tuesday morning, mahouts had prepared a special buffet for the camp's residents, two males, five females, and one baby female. At Wingabaw, elephant conservation is more than saving a species. It is improving the livelihoods of the local community, U Myint Soe, an official of the camp, said on Tuesday. The main purposes of the ECBT camps are to promote nature-based tourism focusing on elephant care and conservation, while giving visitors the chance to interact closely with elephants and develop love, respect, and appreciation for them, he said. These camps also play a key role in protecting elephant habitats and preserving forests, mountains, rivers, and wetlands. In addition, they create job opportunities for mahouts and local communities, and generate income for the department through visits from domestic and international tourists. This not only supports conservation efforts but also contributes to the growth of a green economy, the official said. As of 2024, Myanmar is home to more than 6,000 elephants, with about 3,200 domesticated as state-owned elephants housed in 23 elephant conservation camps, official data showed. Visitors interact with elephants at the camp in their natural setting while funding their care and supporting local families. Among the visitors to Wingabaw camp on Tuesday was 33-year-old Ko Arkar, together with his two-year-old son while his wife feeds elephants watermelon. "My son loves elephants. He even wears elephant-themed shirts," he said, smiling. The camp's family-friendly atmosphere was part of its charm. "We can feed them, touch them. I like riding elephants and feeding them," Ko Arkar added, noting that their tamed nature compared to wild elephants. The camp's chief mahout Khaing Win, 35, has worked with elephants for more than a decade. "I have been interested in elephants since childhood," he said. "As a mahout, we need patience and kindness." Founded in 2016 with just three elephants, the camp was now a hub for tourism and conservation. Guests can feed elephants, watch small shows, and enjoy short rides in the morning or late afternoon, U Myint Soe said. The on-site elephant museum educates visitors, while an in-house veterinarian ensures every elephant remains healthy and well cared for, reinforcing the camp's commitment to animal welfare and conservation, he added. In August last year, the camp gained attention from more people with the rare birth of twin elephants, Pearl Sint, the elder female, and Kyaw Pearl, the younger male. Their mother, 22-year-old Pearl Sandar, was known for her exceptionally gentle nature. For mahout Aung Sithu Kyaw, 36, Pearl Sint is like a daughter. Her brother Kyaw Pearl died in July this year. "Since she was born, I've given her and her mother medicine and food. I care for her like my own," he said softly. The mahouts' mornings start early, taking elephants to nearby stream for baths. They scrub leathery hides clean before preparing meals of grass, fruits, and sugarcane for the day ahead. Not all elephants here can roam freely. Hla Moe Swe, a calm yet cautious female elephant, has been blind since birth. Her mahout, 26-year-old Thein Soe Naing, has carefully guided her for the past three years. He patiently led her away from cliffs and ditches, and poles she might bump into, "You can't force them to trust you. You must be patient, kind, and spend years together."
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Qatar sees 3-pct rise in tourist arrivals in 1st half of 2025
DOHA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Qatar welcomed more than 2.6 million international visitors between January and June, representing a 3-percent increase in visitor numbers in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, according to a statement issued on Monday by Visit Qatar, the marketing arm of Qatar Tourism. Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 36 percent of arrivals, followed by visitors from Europe at 26 percent, Asia and Oceania at 22 percent, and 7 percent each from the Americas and other Arab countries. "We will continue to deepen cooperation at local, regional, and international levels, expand strategic partnerships, and participate in major global forums," the statement quoted Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, as saying. Earlier this year, Qatar Tourism announced that the sector contributed 55 billion Qatari riyal (approximately 15.11 billion U.S. dollars) to the country's GDP in 2024, accounting for an estimated 8 percent of the total economy, a 14-percent increase from the previous year.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Roads waterlogged, over 180 flights delayed as heavy rains lash the Indian capital and its outskirts
NEW DELHI (Xinhua): Heavy rains on Saturday lashed the Indian capital territory New Delhi and its outskirts, leaving many roads and areas waterlogged, besides affecting vehicular traffic, officials said. The downpour also impacted flight operations, with reports saying over 180 flights were delayed and four were cancelled. With several underpasses and arterial roads inundated, the commuters faced long delays. According to the plane tracking site Flightradar, at least 182 flight departures have been delayed at the Delhi Airport. At least 30 flights arriving in Delhi have also been delayed. Delhi airport and many airlines issued advisories to the passengers, urging them to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. An alert for very heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms has been issued for the areas including North Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi, South East Delhi, and Central Delhi. - Xinhua
