| A few days after the summer solstice, on the evening of 23 June, Estonian cities become half empty. Everybody who can do so travels into the country, in order to celebrate one of Estonia's most significant holidays- St. John's Day. On that night, darkness lasts for only a few hours. Hundreds of bonfires are lit all over Estonia, people sing and dance around them, and when the flames have died down a bit, those who are brave enough leap through them to shake off the year's evils. St. John's (Midsummer's) Day marks the lightest time of the year, and the customs relating to it go back to pre-Christian pagan times. It is on St. John's night alone that ferns are said to blossom; the lucky finder of the 'rarest of blooms' may expect great happiness and wealth. This is also the day when girls, by employing a hundred different means, may predict who will be their future husband. |
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| The fern, sadly not in bloom. |
| St. John's Day and Christmas are the most important festivals in Estonia. Christmas, celebrated after the winter solstice, falls in the darkest period of the year; it is primarily a family-centred holiday. Both the old and the young stand by a decorated, candle-lit Christmas tree waiting for Father Christmas to deliver the presents. Afterwards, they all sit down to a festive dinner which usually consists of roast pork, black pudding with cowberry jam, and sauerkraut with roast potatoes. Traditionally, the lady of the house spends the last few evenings before Christmas in the kitchen, baking and sugar-frosting gingerbread men. |
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| Other ancient customs are still practised which relate to the time of year. On Shrove Tuesday, in February, adults seize the chance to go sledging together with the children, on the pretext of the old custom. On St. Martin's Day (10 Nov.) and St. Catherine's Day (25 Nov.), children in costumes go from house to house, earning sweets with their singing and dancing. |
| Spain |
15 |
| France |
13 |
| Canada |
12 |
| Estonia |
11 |
| Germany |
11 |
| The Netherlands |
10 |
| UK |
9 |
|
| Number of national holidays. |
| In addition to these festivities, Estonians also have several national holidays. The most important falls on 24 February, when people celebrate the declaration of independence of 1918. Regardless of the weather, which in February may vary between mild thaw and fierce frost, a military parade takes place in the morning. In the evening, the majority of Estonians gather in front of their television sets to watch the President's reception - if they are not invited to attend themselves, that is. |
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| It's every soldier's dream to carry a flag on the Independence Day parade. |
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