Monday, June 23, 2008

Mid Summer's Night- Burning of the Witches


So, last night, we went out to the coast to observe a most interesting "holiday" here in Denmark. It is called Mid-Summer Nights. It is the time of the year that is longest day of sunlight... so, just to let you know, the sun isn't down here until about 10:30pm and rises at about 4-4:30am. So, this is the time of the year that the sun is out the longest. It was out until about 11pm (ish). Bierger and his family were kind enough to have us over for a traditional Danish meal and wine. We all headed out to the beach, which was just a few kilometers away. Here is a witch, pre-burn, mind you it is about 10:30pm (and you can see Sweden off in the distance!).


This is for the summer, the winter tells a completely different story with about 4-6 hrs of sunlight. Dating back to the days of the witch hunt, they would burn the witches that they found on this day. They would burn them at the beach and out on the water. While the witches were burning (and, their souls going to some mountain in Germany), they would sing and make a lot of noise so as to scare off their souls. This tradition has turned into burning bonfires on the beach, have drinks & celebrating with friends and family.
It is said that Sweden & Finland also celebrate this holiday much differently. They start drinking, very heavily and basically don't stop all weekend. It has gotten quite dangerous, with many deaths to due alcohol poisoning and fights. So, I am kind of glad that we can just hang on the beach and chill.
Well, kids...more to come! ;)

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