Juhannus celebrations begin amidst festivity, joy

People from all walks of life are poised to celebrate the Juhannus (Midsummer), one of the largest traditional festivals set to begin on Friday evening.

People will throng the banks of lakes, rivers and sea along with their family, relations and friends to light bonfires.

There will be exotic foods and drinks, besides music, dance, songs and making fun, on the occasion of the biggest summer celebration.

All offices including government and private excepting the emergency services will remain closed till Monday.

There are various events to go around in various parts of Helsinki and other parts of the country.

For 60 years, many residents of Helsinki flock to Seurasaari, an island in the greater region of Helsinki to watch midsummer bonfires.

The traditional Midsummer Eve celebrations on the island of Seurasaari will begin on Friday evening and the celebrations continue all the way until midnight.

Each year a lucky wedding couple is chosen who get to dance their wedding waltz on the main stage and light the bonfire on the Kyrösjärvi lake from a wooden church boat.

The programme also includes other smaller bonfires, a Midsummer pole decorated in flowers, Finnish folk dances and a magic path where you can make spells in the enchanted night.

Nowadays, Finnish Silverline offers boat trips from the Laukontori harbour. The cruise rate includes midsummer bonfire, dance and a coupe for sauna.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior issued reminder to the people that it is always prohibited to light a bonfire when the Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a forest fire or grass fire warning, said an official press release.

Every year, Midsummer bonfires lead to forest fires. Most of the fires are due to poor preparations or carelessness.

No exceptions will be granted for lighting bonfires. The Ministry of the Interior urged people to check the latest fire warnings for forest fires or grass fires in the area from a local weather forecast or from the website of the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

In addition, bonfires may not be lit if, because of drought, wind or other reasons, the conditions are such that there is a manifest risk of a forest fire, grass fire or other fire.

Regional rescue authorities may also, on reasonable grounds, prohibit the making of open fires in their rescue service regions or parts of them for a specific period of time. All inquiries concerning the lighting of bonfires should be submitted to the rescue department in question.

If there are no forest or grass fire warnings in the area, people should exercise special caution in the lighting of bonfires. Lighting a bonfire on someone else’s land requires permission from the landowner.

Meanwhile, Police started to carry out intensive surveillance of drivers’ condition on land and on water between 23 and 29 June. Breathalyzer tests will be carried out around the clock, focusing on roads and waterways used for summer cabin and recreational traffic.

In addition to speeding, drunk driving poses the greatest risk to the lives and safety of road users.

In 2021, a total of 41 people died and 338 were injured in accidents related to drunk driving. Over half of those killed in water traffic in 2021 were under the influence of intoxicants.

To ensure the safety of all, the Police hope only to encounter sober drivers and skippers on the roads and waterways this Midsummer.