Summer solstice have long history in Latvian folk song traditions. Celebration of the longest day and shortest night in year have been name Jāņi eventual around 6.c. and celebration process – līgošana. Significant in Summer solstice are bonfires, which symbolizes Sun and unity of Cosmos and Earth. Bonfires also used for protection from evil spirits and bad thoughts. Jāņi is special set of rituals with main meaning to receive protection, fertility and blessing. In midsummer evening, nature become magical giving gathered herbs ability to heal and help in a lot of different occasion in life. If men and women are, following solstice rituals and ancient wisdom they can receive additional power, beauty and knowledge.
SUMMER SOLSTICE IN TURAIDA MUSEUM
21 June 2019 from 19:00 until sun rise 4:45.
PROGRAM
19:00 – 21:00 GRASS EVENING – PREPARATION FOR SOLTRICE CELEBRATION.
- Traditional cheese tying with folklore group “Ūzuleņi”.
- Flower crown braiding with help from ethnographer Inra Čekstere and Magrita Poriete.
- Traditional bathhouse wisdom with Kaija Brisone.
- Power of herbs will reveal Zeltīte Kaviere.
- Torch making will teach men from “Roķi”.
19:30 – 20:00 CHANTING of TURAIDA COURTYARD BY RIGA TRADITION GROUP “SILAVOTI”.
19:30 – 20:30 LITLE SOLSTICE (Mazie Jāņi) – theatre for kids in DZIESMU DĀRZĀ (Song garden) with Liniņu family.
20:00 – 20:30 SOLSTICE FATHER AND MOTHER BLESSING. Solstice father (Jāņu tēvs) - head of Sigulda municipality Uģis Mitrevics. Solstice mother (Jāņu māte) - director of Turaida Museum Reserve Anna Jurkāne.
20:30 – 21:00 THE CONVENE OF FOLKLOR GROUPS IN DZIESMU DĀRZS and JĀŅKALNS (HILL OF JĀŅI).
21:00 – 21:10 PROCESSION TO JĀŅKALNS.
22:10 – 22:15 JĀŅU BONFIRE LIGHTNING RITUAL / JĀŅKALNS.
22:15 – 22:30 SOLTICE BLESSING BONFIRE LIGHTNING WITH BOWS AND AROWS/ JĀŅKALNS
22:30 – 23:15 TRADITIONAL PLAYS - singing and dancing GIDED BY LEDURGAS FOLKLOR GROUP “PUTNI” / JĀŅKALNS.
23:15 – 00:00 GREAT CELABRATION – LĪGOŠANA AROUND JĀŅU BONFIRE.
00:00 – 00:30 MIDNIGHT RITUAL, old flower crown burning.
00:30 – FIRE WHEEL ROLLING DOWN FROM JĀŅKALNS.
00:01 – 00:03 DANCING LEADED BY RIGA DANCE CLUB / DZIESMUDĀRZS.
01:00 – 02:30 SINGING JAŅU NIGHT SONGS with Biruta Ozoliņa and Uģis Prauliņš /JĀŅKALNS.
02:30 – 03:00 JUMPING OVER SUMMER SOLTICE BONFIRE /JĀŅKALNS.
03:00 – 04:00 WAY TO THE SUN - MORNING DEW COLLECTION IN DAINU HILL with Amatas folklore group “Ore”.
04:00 – 04:45 WELCOME THE SUN with Sigulda folklore group “Senleja” and folklore group “Ore”.
05:00 SUMMER SOLTICE FIRE SQUIRE through river GAUJA CURLS.
Summer Solstice organize Turaida Museum Reserve cooperation with “Nodibinājums Māras loki”. Financial support from Sigulda municipality. Supported by bakery “Flora” and brewery “Brālis”.
ENTRANCE FREE
2019. gada 13. June
Summer solstice have long history in Latvian folk song traditions. Celebration of the longest day and shortest night in year have been name Jāņi eventual around 6.c. and celebration process – līgošana. Significant in Summer solstice are bonfires, which symbolizes Sun and unity of Cosmos and Earth. Bonfires also used for protection from evil spirits and bad thoughts. Jāņi is special set of rituals with main meaning to receive protection, fertility and blessing. In midsummer evening, nature become magical giving gathered herbs ability to heal and help in a lot of different occasion in life. If men and women are, following solstice rituals and ancient wisdom they can receive additional power, beauty and knowledge.
