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If I look back and review the calendar, the night of San Juan is one of those memories that brightens in my memory. It is not because of the bonfires or the fireworks (although also), but because every year I looked forward to this date with great enthusiasm. The Saint John festivity It meant that the holidays were close, very close. And summer just around the corner. From June 23 to 24, the Night of San Juan is celebrated, a pagan festival that bears a religious name. What is the history of this celebration? And its origin? We try to find out.
I keep so much affection for this date that I always try to talk about this celebration to the children around me. In this way, they too can celebrate it with joy and, above all, illusion, like the one that provokes me.
For know the origin and history of this party we have to ride a time machine and go back years and years. And it is that this holiday has been celebrated for a long time in very different ways in many countries and areas of the world.
The feast of San Juan is a feast of pagan origin that served to welcome the heat in the northern hemisphere (and the summer solstice) and the cold in the southern hemisphere (and the winter solstice), as well as the shortening little to little of the days. It is because of that,This celebration is linked to rituals such as lighting bonfires and fires to give more strength to the sun.
Already in prehistoric times, different rites were performed in these days to venerate the sun. The same as later civilizations that also wanted to contribute to the festivity of the arrival of summer. Over the years, this festival ended up being Christianized and was established on June 24, the date on which the Bible considers that Saint John the Baptist was born. Today, we celebrate the party on the night of June 23-24, a magical time in which illusion and hope circulate in every corner.
Each area of the world has its own customs to celebrate the Night of San Juan, however, in almost all celebrations there is something in common: the presence of fire. This protagonist has two symbologies:
- On the one hand, present the opportunity to purify people's sins, to start over, to leave the bad behind, to resurface ...
- On the other, we worship the sun, which is so important to our lives.
For this reason, in many parts of the world, such as the Spanish Levante coast area, it is celebrated lighting huge bonfires on the beaches. There are those who jump on them to clean themselves, others write their wishes on papers that they burn in the fire. It is also typical that paper lanterns or lanterns are thrown into the air that carry our wishes and illusions to the highest point of the sky.
Not only is fire important in San Juan, because it purifies and burns everything bad, but also water has a main role. Some people go into the sea because they believe that it ensures health for the whole year. In other areas, it is customary jump seven waves (not one more, not one less) just at midnight so that all wishes are fulfilled.
Other customs of San Juan: washing your face before midnight to stay healthy for more years (without looking in a mirror), sleeping with a bouquet of plants under your pillow to help your personal economy, etc.
Have you ever heard the nursery rhyme 'Sawdust, sawdust'? It sure sounds familiar! It makes direct allusion to the night of San Juan and the woods that are used to light the bonfires. Listen to her!
The feast of San Juan is celebrated in many countries around the world from Europe to South America. Spain, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela or Brazil, where it is called Festas Juninas, are some places where this date is highlighted on the calendar.
In Argentina, for example, the winter solstice is celebrated the night of June 21. Argentines organize bonfires in neighborhoods or squares around which young people gather. In Bolivia, bonfires were replaced by barbecues due to the danger of fire and poisoning of the population. In Camagüey, Cuba, a colorful carnival is celebrated. Even in Puerto Rico, where it is also the capital's party, they have a tradition of lying on their backs on the beach or bathing with flowers. In Spain, in addition to bonfires, they usually eat delicious cocas with vegetables. How rich!
As you can see in all corners of the world, the festival of San Juan offers family fun.
Sharing the Night of San Juan with the children is an unforgettable experience. As I have already told you before, I remember it as one of the most special holidays of my childhood. However, given certain customs these days, we must take into account some precautions if we are going to be with the children.
1. Watch out for crowds
Many people always gather at the feast of San Juan who also want to celebrate the arrival of the solstice with joy. Sharing this party with neighbors and friends is great, but when we gather crowds and children in the same sentence, parents feel a little anxious, right?
In these circumstances, it is essential not to lose sight of the child for a moment, to dress him in a color that allows us to recognize him from a distance, to show him our telephone number (and in case it is very small, write it down in a visible place) and tell him what you have to do (stay still) and who you have to go to if you get lost (someone in uniform: police officer, firefighter ...)
2. Be careful with the fire, it burns!
As we have told you, fire is one of the undisputed protagonists of the San Juan festival, so it will be very difficult to avoid it, even if we are with our children. Therefore, the best thing is that we always walk with a thousand eyes so that our little ones do not get dangerously close to any bonfire. And, first of all, let's reflect and consider: is our child ready to jump that campfire? Is it adequate for his size? Does he need help (even if he doesn't want it)?
In the same vein, watch out for bathing on the beach at midnight!
3. There will be fireworks
Fireworks are highly likely, so you have to prepare your children for it. Although they are a spectacle, many children are very afraid of rockets because of the noise they make. Therefore, it is better to anticipate so that the little ones do not suffer and, if you consider it appropriate, leave the place before they start. In the same way, children with autism often suffer a lot from fireworks as well.
And, as always ... always behave with common sense!
Stories - songs - recipes for the night of San Juan with children
Juan without fear for children. Fear is one of the childhood problems that most worries parents. This new story published by our site gives an example that everyone, at a certain moment, feels fear, to a small or to a great extent. Juan without fear is an ideal story to help children overcome their fears.
The tale of The Rock of the Maidens. We will tell you what the story of The Rock of the Maidens is about and why it is typical of the San Juan festivities. Stories to tell to the children in front of the bonfire on the night of San Juan. This happened on a Midsummer night long, long ago, when a fisherman meets a fairy ...
Lyrics of the song Aserrín, aserrán. Sawdust, aserrán is a popular song that was already sung by the grandmothers and is typical of the night of San Juan. A song to sing to babies and children. our site offers us the lyrics of the song Sawdust, sawdust for parents or teachers to learn and sing with children.
Lyrics of the song When the clover passes. Lyrics of the children's song When the clover passes. our site brings you nursery rhymes for children and babies. We select the best children's songs so that parents can enjoy them with their children.
San Juan salty coca with aubergine and tomato. How to make San Juan salty Coca with aubergines and tomato. Easy and quick recipe to make for the children and the whole family on the night of San Juan. our site celebrates the feast of San Juan with this delicious and typical recipe. Learn how to make it with this recipe.
Coca de Piñones for the feast of San Juan. How to make a coca of chicharrones or pine nuts, it is also known in Catalonia as coca de llardons. It is a typical sweet from the Catalan Pyrenees region. It is usually taken at Carnival and during the San Juan festivities.
You can read more articles similar to Saint John festivity. History and origin, in the category of Saints - Biblicals on site.
