Gallery
GATHERING OF COUNTRY CARTS CONTAINING GARLANDS AND DECORATIONS FOR THE HONOURING OF S. JOHN'S1 DAY
Large numbers of country conveyances laden with a profusion of foliage meet in various Latvian districts every 23rd of June to distribute their leafy loads among the populace who are intent on celebrating S. John's Day with all its time-honoured rites. In the country, particularly during S. John's Eve, the fun is fast and furious, and on the farm premises small barrels fixed to the ends of poles are filled with wood or tar and ignited, the flames illuminating the countryside and adding to the general feeling of joyous excitement
Photo, Press Section, Latvian Foreign Office, Riga
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| 1 | Jāni in Latvian, the holiday is Latvia's pagan summer solstice festival. It follows the solstice by a few days because Christian missionaries co-opted the celebration, moving it to coincide with St. John the Baptist's feast. Latvians ignored the Biblical connection and continued celebrating as always. Note that Christmas, in Latvian, is called "Ziemassvētki", that is, Winter [Solstice] Holiday. |
ABOUTOriginal, at 3267326832693270327132723273327432753276327732783279328032813282328332843285328632873288facing328832893290 ►329132923293329432953296ILLUSTRATIONS
PEOPLES OF ALL NATIONS: THEIR LIFE TODAY AND THE STORY OF THEIR PAST BY OUR FOREMOST WRITERS OF TRAVEL, ANTHROPOLOGY & HISTORY (in 7 volumes), editor J. A. Hammerton, published by the Educational Book Co., London, 1920. Subsequently published as both a 7 volume set (1922) and subscription series (1922–1923) by the Amalgamated Press, London.
