Estonian Dinner Night: Jaanipäev (Midsummer)

The Estonian Society of Sydney is kicking off E-Klubi nights again with Jaanipäev for our reoccurring monthly dinner night. Join us to celebrate our second-most important holiday in Estonia, Jaanipäev (translated to St. John’s Day but also known as the White Night, Summer Solstice or Midsummer).

Whilst we celebrate our Winter Solstice here in the Southern Hemisphere, up in the Baltic states massive parties are held to coincide with the longest day of the year where night seems to disappear when the sun sets late and the night is dusk at most. Midsummer coincides closely with the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Known as Jaanipäev in Estonia, Jāni in Latvia and Jonines in Lithuania, it is an ancient holiday (documented as far back as 1578) with roots in pagan and pre-Christian beliefs as a joyful evening of food, drink, dancing, company, traditions, magic and romance.

This day symbolises for many a time for people around the country to gather with their families to celebrate the white night with singing, dancing and lighting the Jaanituli bonfire. Many rituals are associated with the day, including the jaaniuss (glow worm), searching for the sõnajalaõis (fern flower), collecting nine different flowers to predict the future, jumping over the bonfire to avoid bad luck, collecting morning dew for its magical properties, and the story of the two lovers Koit ja Hämarik (Dawn and Dusk) who meet once a year for a breif moment to exchange a kiss on this special day.

For our E-Klubi night, the Estonian Society of Sydney will be collaborating with Sõrve Estonian Children’s Summer Camp to help fundraise for the community. All meal profits will go towards supporting the children’s camp in 2022 and on the night you will be introduced to several of our new up and coming abijuhid (new camp leaders).

Our Jaaniõhtu menu will offer share platters of sõir (traditional soft caraway flavoured cheese) paired with homemade rukkileib (rye bread) and hapukurgid (pickles). For the main meal grilled seašašlõkk (pork shashlik) and vegetarian šašlõikavesi (shish kebab) with baked potatoes and fresh salad, and finally a serving of kohupiima-purukook ōuntega (crumbed cheesecake with apples) to finish it off.

The bar will be open with a selection of beers, wines, spirits and themed fire-y cocktails designed around the lighting of the bonfire. Entry is free, and meals will be available for purchase on the night (card and cash accepted). A traditional coin toss will be held so remember to bring your gold coins all in the “spirit” of fundraising.