Celebration of Kupala Night in Russia's Tatarstan

The holiday of Kupala Night is an ancient pagan and folk festival originally celebrated by the Eastern Slavs. With the advent of Christianity, there were certain changes, but other traditions remained and today the holiday is celebrated with music, dancing, and bonfires.

As with any folk holiday, there are many rituals associated with the day of Ivan Kupala. One of the most popular rituals of this holiday is jumping over bonfires, which is believed to bring good luck, health, and love.

Take a look at Sputnik's gallery to see how Kupala Night is celebrated in Russia's Tatarstan:

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A participant performs during the Kupala Night holiday in a park in Zelenodolsk.

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The Kupala Night holiday is dedicated to flourishing and fertility and coincides with the pagan tradition of summer solstice.

Above: Participants celebrate Kupala Night in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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Participants of the show perform as part of the Kupala Night holiday in a park in Zelenodolsk.

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The holiday is also associated with love and romance, and young couples often go into the forest to look for the mythical fern flower, which is said to bring luck in love.

Above: a participant in Kupala Night bathes a baby in the river in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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Participants of the celebration of Kupala Night in park in Zelenodolsk.

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The holiday is celebrated with rituals such as jumping over bonfires and bathing in rivers or lakes.

Above: A participant of the Kupala Night celebration in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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Many people wear traditional clothing and participate in dance and music performances.

Above: Participants of the celebration of Kupala Night in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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The main hero of the plant world on the night is the fern. The Slavs believed that it blooms only once a year, on Kupala Night (in fact, the fern has no flowers).

Above: Participants of Kupala Night in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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The celebration is a time for joy and merriment, and people often stay up all night to take part in the festivities.

Above: Participant of the Kupala Night festivities in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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The holiday is a time for community gatherings and a celebration of summer and nature.

Above: A participant of the celebration of Kupala Night in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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Participants of the show perform as part of the Kupala Night holiday in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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A participant in the Kupala Night celebration lets her hair down in the park in Zelenodolsk.

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Celebration of Kupala Night Holiday in Russia's Tatarstan