The Nordic embassies and Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia had the pleasure of inviting their friends and cooperation partners to the Nordic Midsummer Party and a joint celebration of the Nordic National Days: Norwegian on 17 May, Danish on 5 June, Swedish on 6 June, Icelandic on 17 June, and Finnish on 6 December. View the picture gallery.
Although the Nordic countries share similar culture, history and even certain traditions, which often makes it easier for them to work together, each country has its own specific characteristics that make it unique. This is also the case at midsummer. According to Icelandic folklore, seals become human, cows speak in human tongue and elves come out of their hiding places on this magical night. The dew is believed to have special healing powers on Midsummer Night and therefore it is considered healthy to roll around naked in the grass in the midnight sun, as stated on the University of Iceland Science Web.
Our Nordic Midsummer Party included the best of Nordic traditions: maypole, music, singing and dancing; games; food and beverages. The Danes burned a witch!
We would like to thank all friends who celebrated with us, it was a pleasure! We also would like to thank the folk dance group Leesikad from the Tallinn French School; musicians Lembit Saarsalu, Ain Agan, Tarmo Noormaa and Lauri Õunapuu; Silver Sepp and Johanna-Adele Jüssi.
Similar celebrations took place in Latvia, Jurmala (photos) and Lithuania, Vilnius where President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė and Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers Dagfinn Høybråten were guests of honour (photos).
