GLOWING MOUNTAINS ON THE SHORTEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
On June 19, 2021, the Tyrolean mountains will "burn" again in the evening until deep into the night. Every year, numerous clubs and groups set off to light their bonfires on this evening to celebrate the longest day of the year. On the Nordkette, a chain of fires lights up from the Achselkopf to the Kaisersäule, giving this night a mystical and romantic setting. In many other Tyrolean villages, such as Ehrwald and Lermoos, beautiful fire figures shine from the mountains on this evening.
TRADITIONAL WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE
The longest day and the shortest night, the solstice, is celebrated worldwide. As a midsummer festival in the far north, in Stonehenge, in the Baltic states, in Spain, in South America, in Eastern Europe and in the Alpine arc. All around the globe, the most diverse cultures light solstice fires and raise awareness of the sun as the giver of life. The fires are intended to radiate across borders and be a signal of peaceful coexistence between peoples. The midsummer bonfires are open to all and should be free from political and party-political influences - a celebration of the people. The midsummer bonfires are not only Tyrolean, but also world cultural heritage.
CLOSER 'HINGSCHAUGT'
The purpose of this fire custom is to remind people of their closeness to nature. Today, we live in a cycle of almost everything being possible and forget that we are embedded in this annual cycle. It is nice to enjoy the highest position of the sun on the longest day of the year. We sit around the fire with friends on the mountain tops, surrounded by peace and quiet, and enjoy the silence of nature
ABOUT THE MIDSUMMER RING
The Sonnwendring coordinates the midsummer bonfires in the Innsbruck area in cooperation with numerous associations, private individuals, the city of Innsbruck and the Nordkettenbahnen. The association wants to maintain the tradition of the midsummer bonfires and supports the bonfire burners with advice and assistance. The Sonnwendring attaches great importance to nature, friendship and our alpine homeland Tyrol.
