Midsummer at Mämmenkylä and Koivisto Village

Midsummer in Mämmenkylä includes a traditional bonfire and old Midsummer charms. Midsummer in the village of Koivisto is celebrated in harmony with villagers and cottage residents. The Midsummer devotion is attended at Honkaristi in Kapeenkoski. The header flower crown photo was taken by Ilona Pietiläinen.

Midsummer in Mämmenkylä

Mämmenkylä is located in Central Finland, north of Äänekoski about 10 km from the town center. Mämmenkylä is divided on both sides of Highway 4 and has about 700 residents. Mämme is a beautiful small village nestled between Keitele and Kuhnamo. The best things in Mämmenkylä are the peace of nature, the forests, and the proximity to the shores. 

I went to visit on 13 June an event organized by the Mämme village association at the school shore in Mämme and there I met a few villagers. Some of them had lived their whole lives in Mämme, many for several years, and there were also returnees. I myself have lived in Mämmenkylä for almost six years.

I interviewed, regarding celebrating Midsummer in Mämme, the village association's active members Johanna Helmistä and Leila Mulia. Others from the village also joined the conversation and were inspired to reminisce about Midsummers of years past. 

We first noted that many spend Midsummer with their own family and relatives; community spirit has decreased compared to earlier decades. I myself have always spent Midsummer with my own family. According to the interviewees, Midsummer celebrations include spending time together and shared activities such as boot throwing, darts, sleeping in a tent, cottage life, and visits from friends and relatives. You also see cottage residents in the village, who enjoy their lakeside cabins in the summer. 

Photo: Ilona Pietiläinen

Midsummer traditions include taking a sauna with a self-made birch whisk (vasta, also called vihta); one of the village men says the smoke sauna is the best. At nearly every house, the gateposts are decorated with Midsummer birches. The more superstitious pick seven different wildflowers to place under their pillow and in a dream see their Midsummer sweetheart, or even their future spouse. I remember trying this Midsummer charm myself as a little girl, but no sweetheart has appeared yet. Some of the older villagers recall Midsummers when relatives often came from the city to visit Mämme.

Many feel that the Midsummers of childhood always seemed warm, whereas sometimes there have also been chilly ones. On Midsummer, people might head out to Midsummer dances or to watch the bonfire. According to accounts, Midsummer dances were held years ago at, among other places, Metsäpirtti, where various events are still organized. Nowadays, people in the village go to watch the Midsummer bonfire at Mämmenniemi. 

Photo: Marjut Kinnunen, Mämme's Midsummer bonfire from 2017.

The oldest settlement in the Ääneseutu region dates to 1544, when Niilo Mämme from Pälkäne settled in the area. Mämmenniemi got its name from him, and this Midsummer the bonfire will again be lit in the same place for the villagers' delight Midsummer Eve at 10 pm. 

I wish everyone a happy and warm Midsummer! 
@Mämmentyttö Amelia Turunen

Midsummer in the village of Koivisto

In the village of Koivisto, a joint Midsummer celebration has never been held, nor have shared bonfires been burned. Midsummer in Koivisto is celebrated by villagers and cottage residents, some of whom may have their own bonfires burning. Originally, bonfires were used to ward off evil spirits, but perhaps they no longer serve that purpose, and instead belong to Midsummer traditions without any greater significance. Forest fire warnings, which prohibit open fires, also affect whether bonfires can be lit.

At Honkaristi located in Kapeenkoski, however, a Midsummer devotion is held annually. This year as well, on Sunday 21 June at 3 pm, you can attend the joint Midsummer devotion of the Laukaa and Äänekoski parishes.

The area has a long history of church services, as services are known to have been held already in the early 1500s. Of course, Honkaristi did not yet exist then, as it was erected only in 1980 by the parishes and local heritage people to commemorate worship services of bygone times.  Midsummer celebrations at Kapee began already in 1949, when Kapee's long worship tradition was revived. Even if church services are not among your own interests, this tradition has a interesting and respectable history.  If you're looking for a Midsummer tip for the Koivisto area, you could combine a Midsummer outing in the Kapee scenery with a touch of history, which you can read about on the Koivisto village association's pages.

Have a nice Midsummer, everyone!
@luonnollisestiparempi Riitta

Sources for the text

Matti Hämäläinen, chair of the Koivisto village association

Heikki Salonen, villager

Koivisto village association

Äänekoski parish