It is a great experience. It was only my second Jaanipäev, but it was even better than the first time. The bonfire was next to a lake and the stage (with a country-music duo and the dancing crowd) was facing another direction. So we could just sit around and bask in the warmth of the bonfire. It’s good to go with an Estonian or two, though, to get the real cultural experience. Many people go home and continue drinking, which is when the real fun starts. Also, it was beautiful to be driving through the countryside on our way to the big, public bonfire and see private bonfires burning every few hundred meters.

I would suggest coming to Jaanipäev in 2009 so that you can also attend the song festival that takes place every five years. A huge segment of Estonia’s population attends and everyone participates. I missed the last one, but I’ll be sure to be at the one in 2009 (even if I’m no longer living in Estonia by then). This weekend I’m attending the 10th Youth Song and Dance Festival, organized by the same people and also very popular. http://www.laulupidu.ee/eng.php

P.S. Checked out your myspace page and see we have a few things in common (animal and environmental protection, particularly). When I lived in Florida I co-founded a cat rescue organization. I’m also going to write something soon-ish on illumineerima about green living in Estonia. And another post about being a vegetarian here. It’s probably similar to being a vegetarian during the 60s in Western countries.

We’re heading to Italy next week for our summer holiday. Have you been? Any food suggestions? I’m researching the culinary specialties of the various regions we’ll be in, to remind us to try them out.

As you mention in your post we do something similar on or around 21st June in France. We light huge elaborate bondfires and dance and sing and well yes, drink too!