Celebrations Across Nations 4

Midsummer's Eve

Description: Midsummer’s Eve is a Swedish, Finnish, Danish, and
Norwegian holiday celebrating the longest day of the year or the
summer solstice which is on June 21. Midsummer’s Eve is observed in
several Northern European countries. The celebration predates
Christianity and is likely related to ancient fertility practices and
ceremonies performed to ensure a successful harvest.

Traditions: Vary from country to country but a common theme is singing
and dancing.

Novy God

Description: “Novy God” is celebrated in Russia and several former
Soviet countries as their New Year. Because religion was suppressed in
the Soviet Union the New Year holiday took on many attributes associated with Christmas, including Christmas trees, and Ded Moroz (a variant of Santa Claus). The Soviet Union may be long gone, and Christmas no longer forbidden, but Novy God endures as the popular holiday of Russian winters.

Traditions: Family celebrations with lavish food and gifts.

Nowruz

Description: Nowruz or the Persian New Year coincides with the
beginning of spring. Nowruz celebrates renewal and rebirth, symbolized
by the coming of spring. It is partly rooted in the religious Zoroastrian
tradition, but is an ancient holiday that was celebrated thousands of
years ago. Now, it is an important Iranian cultural holiday that spans
many religious traditions and is celebrated beyond the Iranian border.

Traditions: Spreading out a haft-seen which is an arrangement of seven
symbolic items traditionally displayed on a table, and counting down till
new years with family.