A Polish Midsummer’s Eve

I am always reminded and amazed at the rich diversity of Polish heritage, customs and celebrations when I continue to expand the content of polishtoledo.com. Recently, I decided to post a list of what I consider to be significant Polish holidays and celebrations on the Website. Combining Church oriented and secular events, I came up with no less than thirty. That averages 2.5 celebrations a month.

Here, I’d like to concentrate on Sabotka. It is still observed wholeheartedly in some parts of Poland and in particular Krakow, which is fast becoming one of the premier tourist destinations in Europe. In Mazowsze (near Warsaw) and Eastern Poland it’s known as "Kupalnocka" or "Kupala".

What we know today as "Noc Swietojanska" (St. John's Eve) has ancient roots from pre-Christian Poland. Before conversion, pagans paid homage to the natural elements of fire, water, earth and air. These elements brought both bounty and famine.

The name "Sobotka" originated from Saturday (Polish "sobota"). This celebration coincides with the summer solstice when we experience the longest day and the shortest night. The sun being the source of light and warmth, it was paid much respect.


According to Polish legend handed down for untold generations by babcias everywhere, the eve of the summer solstice is filled with myth, mystery, fortune telling and magic. Certain plants and herbs take on the magical properties to cure illness. Animals speak in human voices, the earth shimmers with transparency and the barren fern blooms for just one moment in the deep recesses of the forest at midnight with a flaming flower. Those lucky enough to observe the elusive occurrence were destined to find treasures.

Huge bonfires were set ablaze because fire protected against misfortune. Filling crop fields with smoke insured a good harvest. Maidens wore white, danced in circles and sang love songs, while boys showed off their agility leaping the flames. Amorous frivolities this night were a manifestation of readiness for procreation. Wreaths (wianki) woven by girls with flowers and herbs symbolized virginity, which girls were ready to offer for the promise of marriage. At dusk a lit candle was added to the wreath and launched in nearby rivers. The fate of the wreath’s course and destination would predict the maiden’s love fortunes.

The great Polish poet Jan Kochanowski immortalized this custom in his Piesni Swietojanskiej o Sobotce (Songs of St. Johns Eve), and William Shakespeare used it as his theme in his most famous work - A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

While the traditional candle-lit wreaths are floated on the Vistula along with fireworks and outdoor concerts in Krakow to commemorate the holiday, in Waterville, Ohio we trek to the Maumee River at dusk after remembrance of the ancient rites of our ancestors at Dom Kutylowskiego.