Kupala na Ivana

The Summer Solstice is greeted in Slavic countries with jubilant celebration and with solemn ritual dating back many millennia to pre-Christian times. Kupala was the name of the pagan sun god, whose day was later associated with the Feast of St. John the Baptist. Because the Orthodox Church in Ukraine adheres to the older Julian calendar, the holiday is celebrated on July 7 instead of on the actual Solstice.
Customs include jumping over the bonfire to bring good luck, gathering herbs and flowers, walking through the dew, bathing in swiftly flowing water for purification, and divination with floral wreaths floated in the water.
Our young performers had the opportunity to learn about the beautiful folk traditions of Kupala Night from California Revels' Tradition Bearer and Children's Chorus Director Marzena Jones, who grew up in Eastern Poland. Bringing these traditions to life was a labor of love for producers Jeri Reed and Anne Bingham Goess, as well as a heart-warming experience for the teens after a long year of darkness and isolation.