27.8.2022 | Culture
Today is the night of ancient fires – Bonfires will burn on the shores of the Baltic Sea
Text Timo Huttunen
Photo Single Earth / Unsplash
On the last Saturday of August, each year the end of the summer is celebrated by the lighting of bonfires. Bonfires and signal fires will be lit in hundreds of places around the Estonian coast. The night of ancient fires is also celebrated elsewhere in the Baltic Sea region, for example in Finland, Sweden and Latvia. In Estonia, bonfires are also burned on the banks of inland waterways.
Signal fires are an ancient tradition on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Once upon a time, with the help of fires, seafarers were shown a safe route to shore. They could also be used to signal impending danger. There have been mentions of such fires since Viking times. The custom was revived in 1992 in Estonia and Finland.
Today, the event is used to remind people of the importance of protecting the Baltic Sea. It’s also a beautiful way to celebrate the end of the summer.
In connection with the event in Estonia, there are also concerts in many places, which are usually free to enter. There are events in all the major ports around the country. Many Estonians also light their own bonfire on the beach or in their gardens.
Bonfires are lit at sunset, i.e. around 9:30 p.m.
The locations of the public bonfires can be found most easily by clicking here.
To learn more about this and similar topicsAncient Tradition
Baltic Sea
Bonfire
Estonia
Estonian Coast
Finland
Night of Ancient Fires
Signal Fire
26.4.2024 | Culture
Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) returns this weekend
The popular annual Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (known by its acronym HÕFF), will return to the city’s … Read more
26.4.2024 | Culture
Cult band The Underground Youth come to Tallinn
On Sunday, April 28, the alternative music group The Underground Youth from Manchester in the UK will present their … Read more
25.4.2024 | Culture
Baltic & Estonian Music Days
Estonian Music Days, will broadens its horizons this year by merging with Baltic Music Days to showcase a wealth … Read more
25.4.2024 | Culture
Estonian National Male Choir to perform unique concert
A concert entitled Da pacem Domine will be heard on Thursday, April 25, in the Tallinn Methodist Church, where … Read more
24.4.2024 | Culture
Estonian National Male Choir to perform unique concert
A concert entitled Da pacem Domine will be heard on Thursday, April 25, in the Tallinn Methodist Church, where … Read more
23.4.2024 | Culture
Jazzkaar concerts also come to Tartu
Jazzkaar, which started on Saturday, is a national event in Estonia. The concerts are mainly organized in Tallinn, but … Read more
22.4.2024 | Culture
Exciting events in Estonia this week
09.03–18.05,December Rain Ballet, Tartu 23.03–25.05,Musica Sacra Concert Series, Pärnu 16.04–03.05,Circum Absurdum, Tallinn 20–27.04, Hiiumaa Restaurant Week, Hiiumaa 21–28.04, Jazzkaar, … Read more
21.4.2024 | Culture
William Basinski to perform in Tallinn this evening
Legendary American composer, musician, and artist William Basinski will perform a full-length concert at the Paavli Culture Factory in … Read more