Denmark June Festival
In Denmark, the Feast of St. John is known as Sankthansaften (“St. John’s Eve”) and takes place on the evening of June 23. The celebration, linked to the summer solstice, has pagan origins and was incorporated into the Christian calendar. In the past, it was the day when healers collected medicinal herbs, believing that they would have more power during this period.
Since the times of the Vikings, the date has been marked by large bonfires, originally made to ward off evil spirits. Today, Danes gather on beaches, parks and open spaces for picnics, outdoor concerts and the traditional lighting of bonfires at sunset.
One of the most curious traditions emerged in the 1920s: the symbolic burning of a witch made of straw on top of the bonfire, as a historical reference to the witch hunts that took place between 1540 and 1693. According to legend, the witch is sent to Bloksbjerg, a mountain in Germany where they supposedly met with the devil. Although popular, this practice is now the subject of debate, and is seen by some as inappropriate.
Even though it has not been an official holiday since 1770, Sankthans remains one of the most beloved festivals of the Danish summer.
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