june celebrations around the world

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June Celebratio ns around the World

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June Celebrations around the World

I cannot quite believe we are half way through 2015 already, where

have the last 5 months gone!

As we enter the month of June we are all looking

forward to Summer holidays and the warmer weather especially here

in the UK!

Thinking about this takes me to the Summer

Solstice and how it is celebrated every year at

Stonehenge… this started me wondering how different countries celebrate the middle of

Summer.

So here are a few….

Stonehenge, England

The ancient stone monument of Stonehenge is where the Solstice is held in the UK, on the longest day of the year (21st June). Due to the placing of the stones the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, its ray’s then shine into the heart of the stones. The way that Stonehenge is arranged has been seen as evidence that it was designed to mark the Summer Solstice. Every year people flock to the site to witness the sunrise.

North of Norway

In the north of Norway tourists flock to see the ‘Midnight Sun’ where the sun does not sink below the horizon for several week's. The best time to see this is mid-May to late July. It was Paul Belloni Du Chaillu who coined the phrase "land of the midnight sun" after travelling in northern Europe in 1881. 100 years later, the name remains.

St Petersburg, Russia

Due to St Petersburg’s northerly latitude the sun barely sets for several weeks around the summer solstice in June. This phenomenon is called the White Nights. During these nights people take boat trips, drink champagne and walk the embankments and streets. Some people wish it would never end but some end up suffering from insomnia.

Finland

Midsummer in Finland consists of lighting bonfires to banish evil spirits, having maidens hoping to meet their knight in shining armour and sailing on the lakes in the early hours of the morning. The sun does not set in the northern parts of the country throughout Midsummer and many people party throughout the night!

Cusco, Peru

The Inti Raymi ("Festival of the Sun") is a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honour of the god Inti. It is the celebration of the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year and the Inca New Year. In territories south of the equator the gregorian months of June and July are winter months.

Resources: http://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/midsummer-festivitieshttp://legacysite3.timeanddate.com/calendar/june-solstice-customs.html

Sweden

In Sweden on Midsummer Eve people decorate their homes with flowers. Dancing around the maypole goes on right through the night and offices are closed for business. Traditionally, girls would put flowers under their pillows in order to dream of the man they would marry. Families spend a lot of time outdoors together usually with a bottle of schnapps.

Are there unique celebrations in your country?

Share their meaning with us!

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