Ligo - Midsummer Celebration in Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia

On the eve of the shortest night of the year, June 23rd, Latvians celebrate Līgo, the traditional ethnic festival, followed by Jāņi (St. John Day) on June 24th. Both are public holidays in Latvia. These photos are taken at the Līgo Festival organised by the City Council at Dzeguškalns (Cuckoo Hill), the historical public park located on the highest point of Rīga, which is 1 km long and 28 m high natural dune.

The Līgo festival is Pagan by its origin, and traditions are people related. These include not only bonfire burning and cooking traditional meals, but also singing old songs and wreath weaving out of grasses.