It is a pity, but many beautiful folk traditions have faded into oblivion. Summer entertainment is especially lacking, when nature itself is like a holiday. In some Russian villages, there are still traditions of curling a birch tree, jumping over a fire, and throwing wreaths along the river. One of the most beautiful and mysterious holidays Ivan Kupala Day can be celebrated in the summer children's camp
Ivan Kupala Day is a holiday that is understandable not only to the Slavs and their descendants. It is celebrated in the Baltic countries, there are analogues of Ivan Kupala in Germany, Great Britain and other European countries.
The roots of the holiday go back to deep paganism, and similar rituals, characteristic of the celebration in countries of different mentality, allow us to draw a conclusion about its archaic origin.
With the adoption of Christianity, Ivan Kupala Day began to be associated with the name of John the Baptist, whose birthday falls on these days. But the original meaning - the meeting of the summer solstice - remained at the heart of all rituals.
The main symbols of the celebration are water, fire and grass.
How to celebrate Ivan Kupala Day
The holiday falls on July 7, which somewhat abstracts it from the true essence; nevertheless, there is a certain celebration algorithm that can be easily reproduced in the conditions of a summer children's camp.
The celebration starts at nightfall, which gives the event extra mystery.
Fiery rites
After a short acquaintance with the concept of the holiday, the children are taken to a pre-prepared meadow, preferably near the reservoir, where a fire has already been laid out. Around the fire, children lead a round dance and sing previously learned songs:
Turned out summer after winter
Warm wind, clear month, Covered with silk grass, Kupala round dances.
After the fire burns out to a sufficiently safe size, you can invite the most determined children to jump over the fire. Fire has a cleansing power, and, flying over the fire, a person gets rid of sins and the influence of evil spirits.
Water rites
The girls' main entertainment was wreath divination. Girls collect wildflowers and weave wreaths from them. A candle is inserted into the wreath, and in this form it is launched downstream of the river. The further the wreath floats, the more happiness its owner will be.
If the weather permits, you can arrange swimming, since in the period from Ivan Kupala to Ilyin's day, the water in rivers and lakes is cleared of evil spirits.
Grass-related ceremonies
It is believed that on Midsummer's Day, trees and grasses live their own special life. It makes sense to invite children to listen to forest rustles and try to hear forest dialogues.
If you find a blooming fern on Ivan Kupala, you will be able to see all earthly treasures - such a legend exists among many peoples. Although the fern, as a representative of gymnosperms, practically does not bloom, it will be tempting to wander in search of a flower.
