In parts of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Russia, an ancient pagan summer rite called Kupala combined with the traditional Orthodox feast of Saint John the Baptist, becoming Ivan Kupala Night, a festival celebrating the summer solstice. On Ivan Kupala Night, young people wear wreaths symbolizing purity, people sing and dance around bonfires, and they bathe naked in rivers and lakes. Many gather up their courage and leap over fires as a test of faith, to purge themselves of their sins and bad luck, and to improve their health. Collected here, a handful of images from Ivan Kupala Night celebrations in recent years.
Images From Ivan Kupala Night
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Belarusian people take part in the Ivan Kupala festival at the State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Lifestyle near the village of Aziarco, Belarus, on July 7, 2018 #
Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters -
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The supreme priest of Russian neo-pagans beats his drum while his followers dance around the bonfire celebrating the summer solstice in Maloyaroslavets, Russia, on June 21, 2009. The festivities of Ivan Kupala reflect pre–Christian Slavic traditions and practices. #
Sergey Ponomarev / AP -
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