Midsummer's Eve in the Baltics

Ligo Diena in Latvia

Jāņi is a festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo (23 June) and the day of Jāņi (24 June) are public holidays and people usually spend them in the countryside. The festival's eve Jāņu vakars is held in the evening of 23 June and goes on all through the night Jāņu nakts, where people Līgo (sway) into the following day.

The origins of the English word allegiance are interesting:
Allegiance comes from two words, Latin “ad” which means “to”, “toward”, “at”. The French word liege is derived from the Latin LIGARE from ligo which means “to bind”, so liege was to bind a relationship of a vassal to his feudal lord.

“Liege” has many different applications. Here the root or suffix can come from the writing or decree from a leige lord – a king or lord of a city to which one would pledge his allegiance. As the prefix “al” means “to” suffix “legiance” as in pledging allegiance to something or someone is the pawning. The root suffix liege is again found in such words as religion, or reliege or to be attorned so as to transfer one homage or so as to continue as a new land lords tenant. To attorn is almost like a lien – to transfer the tenant on a property from one land lord to another land lord, the tenant stays on the property. This is all feudal law. The allegiance from someone or something is to transfer this allegiance or to be attorned.

Jāņi is an ancient festival originally celebrated in honour a Latvian pagan deity Jānis, referred to as a "Son of God" in some ancient Latvian folksongs. Jānis is also traditionally the most common of Latvian male given names, corresponding to English name John. Wikipedia link here.

Jaaniöö in Estonia and Suvihari (suvine pööripäev ja selle lähedane aeg, suve kõrgaeg, kesksuvi. Jaanipäev kui suvehari).

Jaanipäev was celebrated long before the arrival of Christianity in Estonia, although the day was given its name by the crusaders. The arrival of Christianity, however, did not end pagan beliefs and fertility rituals surrounding this holiday. In 1578, with some disgust, Balthasar Russow wrote in his Livonian Chronicle about Estonians who placed more importance on the festival than going to church. He complained about those who went to church, but did not enter, and instead spent their time lighting bonfires, drinking, dancing, singing and following pagan rituals.

For Estonians, Jaanipäev celebrations were merged with the celebration of Võidupüha (Victory Day) during the War of Independence when Estonian forces defeated the German troops on 23 June 1919. After this battle against Estonia's traditional oppressors, Jaaniõhtu and the lighting of the traditional bonfires became linked with the ideals of independence and freedom.

Joninės in Lithuania

Saint Jonas' Festival or Rasos (Dew Holiday), is a folk festival celebrated on June 24 all around Lithuania.

Rasos can refer to:

* Rasos (district), a district in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania
* Rasos Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Vilnius
* Saint Jonas' Festival, a Lithuanian festival during the summer solstice

The traditions include singing and dancing until the sun sets, telling tales, searching to find the magic fern blossom at midnight, jumping over bonfires, greeting the rising midsummer sun and washing the face with a morning dew, young girls float flower wreaths on the water of river or lake. These are customs brought from pagan cultures and beliefs. The latter Christian tradition is based on the reverence of Saint John. Lithuanians with the names Jonas, Jonė, Janina receive many greetings from their family, relatives and friends.