On June 26 Finland celebrates the Midsummer festival. Traditionally Midsummer is celebrated by all Finns at the summer solstice, and people tend to escape to their summer cottages to leave the cities empty. Happy Midsummer!
Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon juhla, after the Finnish god Ukko. After the celebrations were Christianized, the holiday became known as Juhannus after John the Baptist (Finnish: Johannes Kastaja). Since 1955, the holiday is always celebrated on Saturday (between June 20 and June 26).
In the Finnish Midsummer celebration, bonfires play a very important part. They are burnt at lakesides and by the sea. In addition, two young birch trees are often placed on both sides of the front door to welcome visitors. In Midsummer night, a sauna is typically heated and remains heated for a number of hours. Family and friends are invited to bathe and to grill. In folk magic, midsummer was a very potent night and time for many small rituals, mostly for young maidens seeking suitors and fertility.
White nights and midnight sun give Midsummer its unique character. Because of Finland's location spanning around the Arctic Circle, the nights near the Midsummer Day are short or non-existent. This gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time.
Many music festivals of all sizes are organized during the Midsummer weekend. It's also very common for Finns to start their summer holidays on Midsummer Day. For many families, the Midsummer is the time to move to the countryside. Summer is traditionally spend at summer cottage by the lake - Finns often spend the whole of July at the summer cottages.
The flag is hoisted at 6 pm on Midsummer eve and flown all night till 9 pm the following evening.