Our Līgo and Jāņi – Bonfire, Tradition, and Trout!

Posted on by Ilze

What a magical celebration we had! 🌿☀️

Let’s start with Linna’s Rhubarb pie, it was delicious. You can find the recipe here: Perfect Rhubarb custard pie.

Yesterday we welcomed Līgo night with what might have been the biggest bonfire we’ve ever made – seriously, it was huge! Flames reaching high into the sky, sparks dancing in the wind… It felt like the whole night glowed with light and laughter. We had a lovely gathering, full of warmth, singing, and joy – the kind of night that fills you up for weeks afterward.

This year, we tried something new and traditional at the same time – we made a “pundelis”! (In English, it’s often called a torch pole or fire beam, though it really has no perfect translation.) We took a wooden beam, placed it firmly into the ground (we had problem with that, been raining this year evey day!). But before we lit it! It took some time to catch, but once it did… it was beautiful. A steady, burning flame reaching into the sky – simple, powerful, and deeply symbolic. Definitely something we’ll want to repeat in the coming years. But maybe not that tall… and heavy… 🙂 Love it!

Then came Jāņi morning.

While the rest of us were slowly waking up, Ivars went to the pond (at 7AM) – and came back with two rainbow trout! 🐟 His wife Aija cooked them, and let me just say: absolutely delicious. There’s something about eating freshly caught fish. Thank you Ivars and Aija 🙂


Līgo, līgo to everyone who celebrated – near or far, rooted in Latvia or carrying the tradition in your own way.

Ilze

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23 thoughts on “Our Līgo and Jāņi – Bonfire, Tradition, and Trout!”

    1. It was so delicious! Thank you!
      I read your last post. Thank you for the reminder that even the most “good” or “deserving” people suffer — maybe pain is just part of being human, not something we earn or deserve.

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    1. Hi! 😊
      Thank you for sharing your post — I just read it and had such a good laugh! What a wild and unforgettable first Līgo experience you had! 😄 Latvia definitely has its quirks, but that’s part of the charm, right? I’m glad you got to see this side of our culture — bonfires, beer, singing, and all. This year ours was more mellow, but still full of joy (but no mosquitoes, imagine that 🦟). Hope you’re doing well wherever life has taken you since then!

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            1. How many countries have you lived in? 🙂 Ireland, Latvia, Germany, France? Interesting! P.S. You still have the Germany site in your Gavatar.

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