Ivan Kupala festival

On the night of 6-7 July, the Ivan Kupala (Kupalye) festival is celebrated in Belarus.

Kupalye is a pagan festival in honour of the summer solstice. Its counterparts can be found in almost all countries of the world.

On this day already in the morning women and girls went singing into fields and meadows to collect medicinal herbs.

The fire was given an important meaning. According to legend, Kupalye fire had a protective, magical and purifying power.

In the evening boys and girls danced and jumped over the fire. Young women made wreaths, let them down into the river and after moving the wreath they tried to tell their future destiny.

An amazing legend about the fern flower is connected with the Kupalye festival: Exactly at midnight the fern blooms for a few moments in fiery colors. People tried to find this fern flower, which promised that all wishes would come true.

To this day people in Belarus celebrate Kupalye and remember the old customs and traditions. You can read more about Belarusian holidays on our website.