valonkeruuta

Valonkeruuta is a term used in Finnish folklore to describe a night when the sun does not set at the expected time. In modern meteorology, this phenomenon is known as a "white night" and occurs in latitudes north of 66°30’N, where the sun remains above the horizon on Long Summer Day.

In traditional Finnish folklore, Valonkeruuta was believed to bring about a range of strange and often chaotic events. People would often report observing unusual lights and sounds, which were thought to be the result of supernatural or magical activity. Some accounts suggest that spirits and ghosts were particularly active during these nights, and that it was a time of increased risk and vulnerability.

From a meteorological perspective, Valonkeruta is a result of the Earth's tilt and rotation, combined with its orbit around the sun. On the summer solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, the sun remains above the horizon for extended periods in high-latitude regions. This delay in sunset can be particularly pronounced in locations where the sun is nearly level with the horizon, causing the sun to remain visible even though it is below the horizon.

The term "Valonkeruutta" is derived from Finnish, with "valo" meaning light or radiance, and "keruuta" referring to a period of unusual or unsettling change. The folklore surrounding this phenomenon reflects the cultural and spiritual practices of the Finnish people, for whom light and darkness often carried symbolic and significant meaning.