Mary Reid

Why don't we have national celebrations at midsummer in the UK?  In most countries in northern latitudes both the summer and winter solstices are celebrated in some way, often with a religious festival overlaying the earlier pagan event.  The darkest part of the year is marked by fire and light; Christmas, of course, picks up on many of the midwinter themes, and we have also transferred many of the non-Christian elements to New Year's Eve, and also 5th November.

So what about the summer? The ancient rituals around 21st June are echoed today across Europe in the festivities for St John's Day on 24th June, which is often referred to as Midsummer Day, or the day before on 23rd June, known as Midsummer Eve. In Sweden it is a big event, with a national holiday and maypole dancing, which implies some overlap with traditional May rites. Catholic countries make much of the religious festival, often with bonfires, fireworks and street dancing.

Isn't it odd that the culture that gave 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to the world does not celebrate it on 23rd June? Apart from me, that is, but then it is my birthday....