Kupala
Kupala, also known as Ivan Kupala Night or Ivana Kupala Day, is a traditional Slavic midsummer festival celebrated in parts of Eastern and Central Europe. It centers on the summer solstice and the night before it, traditionally observed on June 23–24 (Julian calendar) or July 6–7 (Gregorian calendar) depending on the region. The festival blends pre-Christian fertility rites with later Christian associations with Saint John the Baptist in many areas.
Origins lie in agrarian rites honoring water, fire, and the renewal of nature at midsummer. The name
Rituals commonly include lighting bonfires and jumping over them, making flower garlands of wild herbs, and
Regional variations exist. In Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Poland the festival is often called Ivana Kupala
Kupala remains a symbol of renewal and communal identity at midsummer, preserved in folklore, literature, and