Summer Solstice: More than just culture?
Traditional celebration in a time of global uncertainty
Summer Solstice or Midsummer is celebrated every June in the Northern Hemisphere. One notices the similarity of celebrations among Scandinavian (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Faroe Islands), Baltic (Lithuania, Latvia) and Finno-Ugric (Estonia, Finland and the various ethnic groups without a sovereign state) nations and peoples representing continuity with pre-Christian traditions. However, the nativity of St John the Baptist also occurs around the same time, thus reconciling pre-Christian and Christian traditions.
Why the significance of it all in 2022, besides national cultural tradition? In 2022 this takes place against the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and Russia’s threats to the Nordic and Baltic nations which have compelled Finland and Sweden to join NATO. Inevitably this leads to the resurgence of nationalism and an interest in national cultural themes, and talking about Midsummer certainly fits the bill.
An interest in cultural nationalist themes is inevitable as reaction to aggression, as nation-states are required to define themselves in face of a hostile power. The similarities in Midsummer celebrations across Scandinavian, Baltic and Finno-Ugric nations and ethnicities can be an anchor for greater common ground among them. This is not unique to these regions. For a start, Nowruz is celebrated by Iran, Afghanistan and all nations and peoples which have been influenced by Iranian culture through history. Lunar New Year is celebrated in East Asian nations and New Years celebrated by South and Southeast Asian nations have similar significance as civilisational markers.
Furthermore, CEE (Central and Eastern European) and Nordic countries may well come to take an interest in the Finno-Ugric minority populations currently in Russia such as Karelia and Ingria as they strive for independence. And this is where Midsummer can take on cultural as well as political significance.