Lithuanian midsummer festival brings magic, music, and tradition to Dundalk Stadium

The annual Jonines (Mid-Summer) Lithuanian Festival took place at Dundalk Stadium on Saturday inviting everyone to celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year.

In English, Joninės translates to Midsummer Day, Saint Jonas’ Festival, or Saint John’s Day. It’s a Lithuanian celebration of the summer solstice, marked by various traditions like bonfires, flower crowns, and searching for the mythical fern blossom.

This is a mysterious, magical holiday rich in customs and traditions, which in Lithuanian is also called Rasos or Kupolės diena.

The Dundalk Lithuanian Community organise the event every year with a beautiful foliage entrance to lots of indigenous crafts and food on display such as cold kvass and other delicacies, along with lots of other items.

A full day of entertainment took place with Lithuanian singers and dancers taking centre stage to entertain Lithuanian people from all over the country and lots of local support also.

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The day was filled with straw hats, wreaths of wildflowers, dances and the most fun songs and a great mood.

There was fun for all of the family with characters making an appearance and some traditional games such as skipping, stilts and clogs to try out in the afternoon sunshine.