European Tradition

    Midsummer or Midsummer's Eve is a very old holiday in much of Europe. In the beginning it was a pre-Christian celebration that took place on or around the summer solstice; remember that that's the longest day of the year. Christians added another dimension to the day when it was determined that this would be the feast day of St. John the Baptist who was about six months older than Jesus; St. John's Day is thus June 24.

    In ancient times, bonfires were lit on Midsummer to ward away evil spirits. In later times and in different parts of Europe, people also began to associate the night with witches or dragons who were thought to cause mischief at Midsummer.

    Danish Tradition

    In Denmark, Midsummer is celebrated on midsummer's eve, St. John's Eve, that is, June 23. Since the time of the Vikings, it has been traditional to build a bonfire; singing a midsummer song called We Love Our Country has occurred since the late nineteenth century. Since the 1920s, many communities have also burned a fabric-and-cloth witch in the bonfire. This action commemorates people who were executed as witches during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Europe and North America. I had no idea the practice was so widespread, but some sources say as many as 40,000-50,000 people were executed for witchcraft in that time; victims were more often women than men. (In colonial Massachusetts about 35 people were executed, most by hanging.)

    Kangerlussuaq

    In Kanger the witch-burning took place at 7:00 p.m. at the Row Club (Roklubben). There was a party with musk ox burgers for sale. So I have finally had my musk ox burger, and I can say that it tasted like a hamburger!

    Burning the Witch for St. John's Eve
    Witches are burned on St. John's Eve in memory of people who were executed for witchcraft in the past.

    Flag of the Day

    Honorable mention flag
    Alexis's polar bear mother and cub flag.

    Date
    Location
    Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
    Weather Summary
    Partly cloudy
    Temperature
    50s F

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