When the sun reaches its zenith and illuminates the sky with its most intense rays, it is the summer solstice. Across Europe, this symbolic day is celebrated in different ways, imbued with ancestral traditions and rituals. Let’s discover how the countries of the Old Continent mark the longest day of the year, between colorful festivities and unique cultural practices.
Every year, June 20 marks a special event in the northern hemisphere: the summer solstice. This day is marked by the longest sunshine of the year, and across Europe, cultures celebrated this period in multiple ways. From the Norwegian fjords to the mountains of Tyrol, let’s dive into these fascinating traditions.
Midsommar in the Nordic countries
In these regions where winter days are particularly short, the arrival of long sunny days is a real event.
In Sweden, THE midsommar is an emblematic celebration. In Stockholm as in the Swedish countryside, people wear flower crowns symbolizing fertility. They dance barefoot in the morning dew and around a green pole, while enjoying authentic outdoor feasts. These celebrations are even more spectacular in the north of the country, where the phenomenon of midnight Sun makes the days almost endless.
Dizzying bonfire in Norway
In Norway, the small town of Ålesund becomes the scene of one of the largest bonfires in the world. For several months, residents stacked wooden pallets to erect an impressive tower without any machinery. On the Saturday following the solstice, this structure is set on fire during Slinningsbålet, creating a spectacle of flames that can be admired from the surrounding mountains or by boat.
The brandon festival in the Pyrenees
In the Pyrenees, the summer solstice fire festivals, also called brandon celebrations, have been listed as the intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2015. At nightfall, locals carry torches from the mountain peaks to light traditional pyres. This ceremony marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The celebrations are concentrated in particular in the country of Comminges, as well as in Aragon and in Catalonia in Spain. The sacred fire of Canigou, central symbol of these festivities, is constantly guarded in Perpignan between each annual festival.
Party night at Stonehenge
No summer solstice celebration would be complete without mentioning Stonehenge in England. Every year, thousands of people gather around this megalithic site from around 2500 BC to experience a memorable night while waiting for the sunrise. Precisely aligned for the solstice, the heel stone offers a spectacular view as the sun slips between the central sandstone blocks. For those who cannot travel, the event is broadcast live on the English Heritage website.
Fire figures on the mountains of Tyrol
In the Austrian Tyrol, the mountains light up during the shortest night of the year. This tradition dates back to 1796 when it was initiated to invoke the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus against Napoleonic troops. Today, thousands of fires in the shape of symbols adorn the peaks every end of June.
The spectacle is particularly impressive in the valleys of Ehrwald, Lermoss, And Biberwier, in the Zugspitze region, a UNESCO-listed event since 2010.
