English: At the height of the year, when the sun lingers longest in the sky, Latvians gather to celebrate Jāņi - the Summer Solstice. Known as Saulsstāvji, this ancient festival in June marks a sacred pause in nature’s rhythm, when light, energy, and life are at their peak. The word “solstice” comes from Latin - sol (sun) and stitium (to stand still) - reflecting the stillness and power of this moment.

Jāņi is a time of joyful togetherness. Villages and cities across Latvia come alive with celebration: women weave flower crowns, men wear oak leaf wreaths, and the air fills with traditional folk songs called dainas. Families and friends gather around bonfires, staying up through the luminous night in ritual, laughter, and dance. These ancient customs that have been passed down through generations, offer a way to reconnect with the earth, the seasons, and each other.

As firelight flickers and the shortest night gives way to the rising sun, a space opens for reflection. The solstice invites a pause: to honour the path walked since the last turning, to celebrate abundance, and to welcome the next cycle with gratitude and light.