Important dates in the Estonian calendar
February 24 – Estonian Independence Day
Eesti iseseisvuspäev (Estonian Independence Day), a national holiday commemorating the Estonian Declaration of Independence published in the capital city Tallinn on February 24, 1918, which established the Republic of Estonia. Also known as the National Day of Estonia.
June 14 – Juuniküüditamine Eestis
Estonian Deportation Memorial Day, the commemoration of the May–June 1941 Deportations. A somber memorial for those Estonians who were forcibly removed from their homes by Soviet authorities and deported to the GULAG system as part of the occupation of Estonia by the USSR.
June 23–24 – Jaanipäev
June 23–24 – Jaanipäev
Jaanipäev (St John’s Day) and jaaniõhtu, also jaanilaupäev (Saint John’s Eve in English) are important days in the Estonian calendar. Jaanipäev is celebrated on the night between June 23 and 24, the Western Christian feast of the nativity of Saint John the Baptist, which is a few days after the summer solstice.
On jaaniõhtu, Estonians all around the country gather to celebrate the day with singing and dancing, a centuries old tradition.
A distinctive activity during this night is the lighting of a bonfire and jumping over it. Seen as a way to welcome prosperity and fend off bad luck, lighting the fire was traditionally meant top frighten away mischievous spirits, thus ensuring a good harvest.