Ivana Kupala: Ukraine celebrates its pagan past with flowers and frills

People attend a celebration on the traditional Ivana Kupala (Ivan the Bather) holiday in Kiev, Ukraine. (REUTERS)

Updated on: Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

People attend a celebration on the traditional Ivana Kupala (Ivan the Bather) holiday in Kiev, Ukraine. (REUTERS)

2/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

The ancient tradition, originating from pagan times, is usually marked with grand overnight festivities during which people sing and dance around campfires, believing it will purge them of their sins and make them healthier. (REUTERS)

3/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

The festival is celebrated in Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Russia currently on the night of 6/7 July in the Gregorian calendar. (REUTERS)

4/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

Kupala also represents an ancient fertility ritual. (REUTERS)

5/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

Inspite of pagan origins, the festival was eventually accepted into the Orthodox Christian calendar. (REUTERS)

6/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

Kupala, the Slavic word for bathing has, over the years, come to be reintrepreted as John’s baptizing people. (REUTERS)

7/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

On Kupala day, young people jump over the flames of bonfires in a ritual test of bravery and faith. (REUTERS)

8/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

The ancient Kupala rites, are connected with the role of water in fertility and ritual purification. (REUTERS)

9/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

Children take part in a celebration on the traditional Ivana Kupala. (REUTERS)

10/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

Women make wreaths during Ivana Kupala. (REUTERS)

11/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 9, 2016 5:48 PM

People jump over a camp fire during the celebration. (REUTERS)