The gayest festival in Latvia is St John's dày, June 24 (tomorrow). The celebration commences on ihe p vious sening and goes on the whole night and nearly the whole popula-tión sees the sun rise. For the c bration a special cheese is made of fresh milk, beer is brewed and barrels of dry wood or other materials are prepared which are fastened to long.poles and placed on bilks after being set on fire. The belief exists that as far as the light of the fire can be seen prosperity and good luck ill follow. The light is seen over ihe whole country, from hill to hill and the nation has always had more than enough lor her needs.
The institution of this festival must be counted from early times when the people believed in idols. With the German invasion to spread Christianity by means of sword and fire St. John's fire shone no more and with it prosperity changed to slavery. The clergy considered this festival idol worship and steps were taken top the celebration, but 160 years it was renewed and since then it is repeated annually and during the last few years with exceptionally vith trees and flowers which grow wild in abundance. Special songs are sung which have something common with Swiss yodels. During this festival young people of acquainted and many weddings e solemn Girls wove wreaths which they threw on the better lo. ing oak trees. If the wreath fell that cant she had another year to wait Also wreaths thrown into rivers. If the stream took it to the other bank i: indicated that she was to leave house and marry. In case it sani that meant death. On this d; y herbs were collected for nal Nowaday: large field exported.
3 ans of Shang-arranged a lebration on Ferry Road which is still remembered by many, but this year, owing to invasion of Latvia by the Russian army it is day of sorrow and there-lore the Association has decided to refrain from holding a similar function. ith the exchange some weak) P ing. (i) Loses move, such as K1. followed winning with 28. Q—Bách, Kióch); Beh, K—Q2. sch and the Kt mates.—"Obser
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