Across parts of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Russia, an ancient pagan summer rite called Kupala combined with the 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, crowds sing and dance around bonfires, and people bathe naked in rivers and lakes. Many leap over fires as a test of faith, to purge themselves of their sins and bad luck, and to improve their health. Collected below are a handful of images from this year’s Ivan Kupala Night celebrations.
To receive an email notification every time new photo stories are published, sign up here.
