While Sweden celebrates Midsummer, in many other countries the festivities to officially begin the summer starts on the 23rd June. Tomorrow the St. John's Eve will open the festivities in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, illuminated by the bonfire light.
The festivities start on the 23rd June, the Saint’s Day eve, after dusk with the lightning of Sankt Joahanz fires. Then bonfires in every district of the town will illuminate the darkness. People can continue celebration all night long with traditional toast and “spisie”, snacks.
A Mass opens the next day followed by the procession. Men bear a figure of decapitated head of the saint. It is also an occasion to admire traditional Walser costumes as many people, especially women, are wearing it.
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Programme:
23rd June
At 9.00 p.m.: traditional Saint-John’s Fire in the different hamlets.
24th June
At 10.30 a.m.: Holy Mass
After the Mass and the traditional Lamb Offering a pageant with local costumes will take place in the village streets.
Gressoney’s priest issues Saint John’s blessing to all children.
A dancing performance of Gressoney’s folkloristic group “Trachtengruppe” will take place on the village square.
The festival continues with lunch and dances in the pavilion on Weissmatten’s car park.