Summer is the most beloved season in Estonia – during the three summer months, people try to recharge and store as much sunshine as possible for the long winter period. Many of us take a holiday in summer, spending a month either in the country or by the sea.
The period from the end of May to the middle of July is a magical time in Estonia – with long days and practically no dark nights. Can you imagine walking in the streets at night without needing streetlights to be on?
Around the summer solstice, Estonians celebrate Midsummer. It is the only time in the year when Dawn and Dusk meet. Entire villages come together, the youth and the elderly, plus relatives and friends from the city. After a proper sauna, people light large Midsummer fires, eat and drink merrily and, of course, go looking for fern blossoms. Midsummer’s Eve celebrations include trials of strength and skill: jumping over the fire, climbing through a horse bow, and arm wrestling. Estonian white nights are filled with magic and mystery!
Our sports programme this year includes Estonians’ beloved and traditional sports. We hope you will enjoy them!

NB! One of your team members will participate in two fields, and the rest in one. Divide the first three fields between three participants and then decide who will also participate in the boating competition.

There are facilities for changing clothes at Mammaste. Participants in the boating race are asked to dress in clothes they do not mind getting wet.

Disc golf “Warding off the evil eye”

It is said that even if you cannot find a fern blossom, you can still, when you prick up your ears, hear trees and birds and animals talk on Midsummer’s Eve. At the same time, you need not leave it all up to fate – you can take charge and cast spells to get your neighbour’s ‘milk fortune’ and ask the Creator for good cattle and crop growth. And of course, you need to ward off the evil eye from your home and property!



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Individual relay “Who is the best man and woman of the village?“

Midsummer was such an important holiday that shepherds, servants and young people were given a day off to gather around the Midsummer fire. Only urgent works were done, and herds were protected from strangers’ eyes to avoid evil spells being cast or damage being caused. At the Midsummer’s Eve party, the strongest man and the most skilful woman of the village had to be determined.



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Boating competition “Let the best village win!”

It sometimes happened that people from the neighbouring village came over for the Midsummer’s Eve party. That meant endless telling of stories, dancing and merriment. Torches were lit and boats were taken to the lake – the play of lights reflecting on water were breathtaking to watch! And of course, the best and most skilful person in each village had to be determined – and that person could boast his achievements for the entire following year.



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Kiiking

Swinging is still a popular pastime on Midsummer’s Eve – village swings are traditionally large and can take on about ten people at a time. Swinging was supposed to ensure crop, cattle and human fertility. People also believed in the cleansing effect of movement through air.



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