24. lipnja u Ukrajini slavi se Ivan Kupala. Ovaj dan spaja drevni pretkršćanski blagdan ljetnog solsticija i rođendan Ivana Krstitelja. Bogata povijest slavljenja uključila je “nove” kršćanske tradicije, koje nisu uspjele u potpunosti potisnuti pretkršćanske običaje. Vjerojatno je blagdan nastao prije tisuća godina. Međutim, prvi pisani spomeni Kupale datiraju iz ranog srednjeg vijeka. Obavezni poganski elementi slavlja su vatra, voda i bilje. Kupaonsku noć treba provesti slaveći i ne ići spavati. Jer onostrane sile i zli duhovi te noći mogu naštetiti samo u snu.

Pročišćenje vatrom

Na Kupalu mladi ljudi pripremaju veliku vatru, često na obali rijeke. Vatra služi kao simbol sunca i pročišćenja. Oko nje se pleše, pjevaju se pjesme cijelu noć. A kad vatra postane manja – skače se preko vatre. Vjeruje se da zaljubljeni par koji zajedno skoči preko vatre bit će pročišćen i sretan u budućnosti.

Čarobne trave

Na Kupalu djevojke pletu bogate vijence od cvijeća i bilja. Na kraju slavlja ti se vijenci puštaju niz rijeku. Koliko daleko vjenac otplovi, prorokuje djevojci sudbinu. Općenito se smatra da ljekovito i aromatično bilje u to vrijeme dobiva najveću snagu. Stoga ih je najbolje sakupljati u kupaonsku noć prije prve jutarnje rose.

Posebno mjesto te noći zauzima cvijet paprati. Legenda kaže da vatreni cvijet paprati cvjeta na jednu minutu u ponoć. I onaj tko ga pronađe dobit će nadljudske sposobnosti: razumjet će jezik biljaka i životinja, moći će liječiti i pronalaziti skrivena bogatstva.

Kupanje

Nakon kupaonskih praznika već se može kupati u rijekama i vodama. Jer do tada, tijekom Zelenih blagdana, voda se smatra opasnom za ljude.

Suvremena slavlja Kupale izvor su istraživanja i pridruživanja tradicijama naroda. Posjetiteljima festivala i radionica nudi se upoznavanje s tradicionalnim obrtima, sudjelovanje u stiliziranim ritualima i nastupi folklornih skupina.

Ivan Kupala

On June 24th, Ivan Kupala is celebrated in Ukraine. This day combines the ancient pre-Christian summer solstice holiday with the birthday of John the Baptist. The rich history of the celebration has incorporated “new” Christian traditions, which could not completely displace the pre-Christian customs. The holiday likely originated thousands of years ago. However, the first written mentions of Kupala date back to the early Middle Ages. The obligatory pagan elements of the celebration are fire, water, and herbs. Kupala night should be spent celebrating and not going to sleep, as otherworldly forces and evil spirits can only harm during sleep on this night.

Purification by Fire

On Kupala, young people prepare a large bonfire, often on a riverbank. Fire serves as a symbol of the sun and purification. People dance and sing songs around it all night. And when the fire subsides, they jump over the bonfire. It is believed that a couple in love who jump over the fire together will be purified and will be happy thereafter.

Magical Herbs

On Kupala, girls weave elaborate wreaths of flowers and herbs. At the end of the celebration, these wreaths are floated down the river. How far the wreath floats predicts the girl’s fate. In general, it is believed that medicinal and aromatic herbs gain their greatest power at this time. Therefore, it is best to gather them on Kupala night before the first morning dew. 

A special place on this night is occupied by the fern blossom. Legend says that the fiery fern flower blooms for one minute at midnight. And whoever finds it will gain superhuman abilities: they will understand the language of plants and animals, be able to heal, and find hidden riches.

Bathing

After the Kupala celebrations, it is considered safe to swim in rivers and bodies of water. Before that, during the Green Holidays, water is considered dangerous for people.

Modern Kupala celebrations serve as a source for studying and connecting with folk traditions. Visitors to festivals and workshops are offered an introduction to traditional crafts, participation in stylized rituals, and performances by folklore groups.