The village Yuryevo, located on the bank of Lake Ilmen in the Novgorod Oblast, celebrated the traditional folklore holiday “Ivan Kupala Day” on July 2.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankThe village Yuryevo, located on the bank of Lake Ilmen in the Novgorod Oblast, celebrated the traditional folklore holiday “Ivan Kupala Day” on July 2.
The village Yuryevo, located on the bank of Lake Ilmen in the Novgorod Oblast, celebrated the traditional folklore holiday “Ivan Kupala Day” on July 2.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankGuests were given a bread-and-salt welcome and were offered to participate in a number of diverse events: round dances, swimming, rituals and traditional games.
Guests were given a bread-and-salt welcome and were offered to participate in a number of diverse events: round dances, swimming, rituals and traditional games.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankGuests could feast on the traditional kupala porridge and try the Novgorod ukha. The guests also wove wreaths of flowers, which they gave to their special someone.
Guests could feast on the traditional kupala porridge and try the Novgorod ukha. The guests also wove wreaths of flowers, which they gave to their special someone.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankBoth single guests and those in love dipped into Ilmen, thus undergoing a purification ritual.
Both single guests and those in love dipped into Ilmen, thus undergoing a purification ritual.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankA big bonfire was then lit, around which people danced.
A big bonfire was then lit, around which people danced.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankThe bravest ones jumped over the bonfire, thus cleansing themselves by fire.
The bravest ones jumped over the bonfire, thus cleansing themselves by fire.
Folk music played throughout the day.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankEven the heavy shower that came toward the end of the day could not ruin the fun.
Even the heavy shower that came toward the end of the day could not ruin the fun.