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Midsummer celebration of summer solstice gathered Baltic expats at the Lithuanian Embassy in Beijing.

Midsummer’s Day (Lithuanian: Joninės, Kupolė, Rasos; Latvian: Ligo, Jāņi ; Estonian: Jaaniõhtu, Jaanipäev) is celebrated in Baltic Countries on the 24th of June (the night from 23rd to 24th of June), when day is the longest and night is the shortest (summer solstice).

Since ancient times, the midsummer day has been observed and celebrated by many cultures. In the agricultural calendar, it was a time to celebrate the sowing of the crops and enjoy the short break before harvest began. In Northern Europe, its effects are more pronounced with very long days. In astronomical terms, the longest day of the year takes places on either 20 June or 21 June. With the Christianisation, midsummer festivities were moved to the day before St. John's Day.

It is celebrated also as a name-day of John and Jane, and people with such names are greeted and are given wreaths. Even though the holiday was Christianised, the old customs remained. Ancient elements survived – symbols of water, fire, vegetation, customs like wreath making, love and marriage spells, herbs’ collecting, fem blossoms’ search, making bonfires and jumping over them.

It is thought that herbage is at its best on Midsummer’s Day, and herbs have the strongest healing powers. This night girls go to collect herbage, make wreaths and foretell future with them.

It is believed that at the night of Midsummer – only one night during the year and only for a very short moment fem blossoms. The one who finds a blossom of a fem becomes omniscient, but also - for a very short moment. Searching for a blossom of a fem is one of the best known traditions of Midsummer in Lithuania and Latvia.

Another important element of Baltic midsummer is rituals of fire which is believed that fire has purifying qualities.

You can find more about Midsummer celebration and tradition in the Baltic Countries following these links:

http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/eka/customs/john.html

http://estonia.eu/about-estonia/country/estonian-holidays/54.html

http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/latvia/jani.php

Midsummer - perfect time for visiting Lithuania! The list of public celebration events can be found here:

http://bnn-news.com/calendar-cultural-events-lithuania-midsummer-festivals-lithuania-130226