Midsummer at Wolin

Kupala Night (or midsummer) is the shortest night of the year associated with the summer solstice. Before the church renamed it into Saint John’s night, the Slavs (and practically all other ancient societies in Europe) had traditionally linked it with fertility, love, celebration of the sun and life. Kupala night is celebrated with a number of rituals such as making flower wreaths which girls float on water. Men try to capture the floating flower crowns, hoping the girl who made the wreath would pay attention to them. Another ritual is jumping over the flames of bonfires to test one’s bravery and faith. The celebration continues with feasting, dancing, singing and giving offerings to the old gods. Midsummer at Wolin was all that and much more!