The summer solstice( 夏至), around June 21, is the longest day of the year in the northern half of the world. On that day, the sun is the highest in the sky, so the earth gets the most hours of light. People in many countries celebrate that day in a holiday called Midsummer.
Different countries celebrate Midsummer in different ways. In towns in Sweden, people put up a Midsummer Pole（仲夏柱） made of wood covered with flowers. They dance and sing around it. Afterwards , they eat fish, new potatoes and strawberries. That night, young people pick seven different flowers and put them under their pillows（枕头） when they sleep to dream
about the person they will marry.
In Finland, people go out to the country and build huge fires to celebrate Midsummer. In the past, people believed that the fires drove away bad luck. Now, they' re a reason to get together with friends for a big party all night. Because Finland is so far north, the sky is light most of the night on Midsummer. Many Finnish people start their summer vacations on that day.
In some parts of Spain, people have big parties and enjoy fireworks（烟花） on the beaches at night to celebrate Midsummer. Some people believe that plant medicines work the best if they are made on Midsummer, so women go out to collect the plants that night. Some people put the plants in water and then wash their faeces with the water for good health . And of course there are special foods: fish, potatoes and corn bread.
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Midsummer |
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Introduction |
On Midsummer, the earth gets the most hours of light. Midsummer is celebrated around in the northern half of the world. |
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Celebrations in different countries |
Sweden |
Dancing and singing around a(n) . Eating fish, new potatoes and Sweden strawberries; Putting under the pillow at night (It' s for young people) |
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Finland |
Getting together with friends around for a big party; Starting summer vacation |
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Spain |
Having big parties and enjoying fireworks on the beaches at night; Collecting certain plants at night to make ; Eating fish, potatoes and corn Bread. |
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