Midsummer brings magic and tragedy

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

In Finland’s northernmost region of Lapland there were three accidental drownings on June 24, Midsummer Night, known as Juhannus in Finnish. Drownings are common in Finland during the summer as drunk party-goers head home across lakes in small boats and capsize. According to the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, 11 drownings were reported on the 24th.

In Reykjavik, Iceland, 800 gathered for the midsummer night festival in Laugardalur in central Reykjavik.

The festival-goers assembled in the family park close to the open air swimming pool at Laugardalur. The pool was open and admissions were free.

According to Icelandic folklore, cows start speaking and seals take off their fur on Midsummer night, and stones are imbued with magical powers.