Kupala Night (Midsummer Night) - is a holiday celebrated on the shortest night of the year - the summer solstice. It is one of the main and oldest folk holidays of the Eastern Slavs. Some believe that the name of this holiday comes from the Slavic deity Kupala, but modern scholars of Slavic mythology do not confirm such a deity. Others associate the word "Kupala" with bathing. A number of rituals and special activities are associated with Kupala Night, including: collecting herbs and flowers - then using them to decorate each other, entering water and dousing each other with it, dancing and singing, jumping over fire, sending wreaths on water, and even scaring away witches. Therefore, the celebration usually takes place near water or on hills. In the past, it was believed that Midsummer Night was a magical time, fulfilling prophecies, most often those related to love.



Sisters, the fire was lit

And the square was made for us;


Why don't we join hands,

And sing together?



Jan Kochanowski, "Midsummer's Eve Song" excerpt