Kupala night — the most magical celebration in Eastern Europe. Pagan rituals, fortune-telling, and the legends that come true
Discover the enchanting history and rituals of the summer solstice celebration that have been passed through thousands of years.
At the end of June, the Sun reaches the furthest point from the equator. In this period, we have the longest day and the shortest night of the year. It’s called the summer solstice, and it’s happening right this weekend. There couldn’t have been a more perfect time to tell you about the Kupala night – the magical summer solstice holiday that Eastern Europeans have been celebrating for thousands of years.
In Belarus, it is called Kupalle, in Ukraine – Kupala or Kupaylo. It is also commonly known as Ivana Kupala, a mix of the original pagan name and the Christian holiday that tried to replace it. While the summer solstice is widely celebrated in many countries and cultures around the world, Kupala is predominantly an Eastern European holiday. It is the most celebrated in Ukraine and Belarus, where people have carried the ancient traditions through thousands of years.
Over the centuries, Kupala was fiercely persecuted by the Christian Church and Russian authorities. The first wanted people to forget their old gods, the second wanted people to forget their culture and identity. Yet, Kupala survived, and its most archaic and authentic rituals were preserved in Belarus, my homeland. In Ukraine, the celebration of Kupala became even more popular and meaningful in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, as it is the celebration of life and connection to your land, roots, and ancestors.
On Kupala night, people dance, sing, and jump over huge bonfires, perform ancient rituals, bathe naked in the rivers, make flower wreaths, tell fortunes, and fall in love. At midnight, a mystical fern flower starts to bloom in the darkest part of the forest, guarded by the witches and forest spirits, and only the bravest attempt to find it. Time stops as people dance around the fire, just like their ancestors did thousands of years ago. A magical night like this happens only once a year when people deeply connect to nature, the universe, and each other.
Below, you will learn about:
How Kupala originated and what this word means;
Eastern European mythology and pagan beliefs;
Ancient summer solstice traditions and old legends;
Magical fortune-telling rituals that have been passed down through generations for thousands of years;
Plus beautiful photos, videos of celebrations, and recordings of enchanting Kupala songs from Ukraine and Belarus!
Kupala night has always been my favorite holiday of the year, and I’m so excited to share its magic with you!