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Ukrainians celebrate pagan holiday Ivana Kupala (PHOTOS)

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Women in Ukrainian traditional embroidered clothes sing as they celebrate Ivana Kupala in Pyrohiv outdoor Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine on July 6.
Photo by Volodymyr Petrov

Every year, Ukrainians celebrate the pagan holiday Ivana Kupala on July 6-7 to mark summer solstice when nights are the shortest.

Traditional festivities take place in several parks, one of which is Pyrohiv outdoor Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, located about 20 kilometers south of the Kyiv’s center. Hundreds of people joined the celebration here on June 6.

The traditional rituals held on Kupala Night include jumping over the flames of bonfires to test one’s bravery and practicing various divinations.