The National Celebration Of The Pagan Holiday Of Ivan Kupala In The Gomel Region Of Belarus. Editorial Photo

The national celebration of the pagan holiday of Ivan Kupala in the Gomel region of Belarus. Ivan Kupala day (Midsummer day, Midsummer night) — national holiday of the Eastern Slavs, devoted to the summer solstice and the highest flourishing of nature and is celebrated on June 24 (July 7). Timed to coincide with the Christian feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, which falls in the Orthodox Church on June 24 (July 7). In the calendar cycle symmetrical Christmas (the Christmas Carol). The night before the holiday in its ritual content surpasses the day of Ivan Kupala. On this night, people light bonfires, wear Slavic ritual costumes, and the girls go on the river wreaths with lit candles.