Sankt Hans Again

23-June is one of the most colorful festive in Denmark, also in Northern Europe. Commonly known as Mid-summer festival or Sankt Hans. Not a public holiday this day but Danes will gathered to embrace the longest day of the year. Northen Europe 'suffer' the long dark night during winter, so the longest day of the year always has special meaning. Every evening on the 23rd of June, Danes will go to seaside, build up high wood stacks for bon fire and placed a 'witch' (a symbolic one of course, I've seen witch drawings & witch dolls) on top; the witch symbolize darkness and evil.

Approximately around 9 o'clock, the fire will be lit on, raging flame towering to the sky. People will dance around the fire, singing old ancient songs...that's what I was told it's suppose to be. I've witness it twice, all they do is just drinking beer & chatting around the bon fire, well, guess time change a lot of things :) I went to the seaside last year during Sankt Hans. The bon fires one after another along the seaside was really impressive.

This year, I choose to go to the lakes in Copenhagen (there're 5 conjuctioned lakes), wanting to see something different. I was told that the bon fires will be lit on in the middle of each lakes, and that it'll be nice to walk along the lakes. I was there early and even have time to observe swans, dissapointed to find out that only one lake has bon fire.


Right before sunset, some men paddle a small boat to the middle of the lake and lit on the wood stacks that marks the beginning of Sankt Hans celebration.
Well, honestly speaking, the bon fire is a bit too small for such big lake & big crowd. So if you are interested in seeing a real Sankt Hans celebration, go to the beach.