Summer solstice and celebrations

Hello everyone!

Today is the summer solstice, also called the estival solstice or midsummer. It's the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the day in which the sun rises early and sets late. The solstice marks the start of summer and the end of spring, a reminder that the warmest months are finally here. The days from that point onwards get shorter in the countdown to winter.

The summer solstice is when our ancestors celebrated the sun's power and ability to sustain life on Earth. Nowadays, to celebrate this day, people connect with nature by visiting parks, forests, beaches, lakes, etc.

The summer solstice is also a celebration of the universal language of music. The Fête de la Musique, also known in English as World Music Day, is also observed every 21st of June. This celebration emphasises the significance of music and its numerous benefits for the human mind and body.

The first World Music Day was observed in 1982 in France when people were encouraged to play music outdoors to participate in festivities. Since then, World Music Day has spread to other parts of the world and is now a global celebration of music.

Musicians, both professionals and amateurs, come together to perform on World Music Day. Several free concerts are organised on this day, and different genres of music are celebrated.

Every year International Yoga Day (Yoga Day) is also celebrated on the 21st of June worldwide. It has been celebrated annually since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the many benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. 

I started practising yoga last March (on International Women's Day) and instantly fell in love with it! It makes me feel better, stronger and more flexible. Almost anyone can practice yoga, regardless of age or fitness level. If you never tried it, I encourage you to find a YouTube video for beginners and practice at home. I like the Boho Beautiful Yoga channel and the app Simply Yoga. This app has a FREE version; you do not need to spend any money to experience the many benefits of yoga!

This year, the theme for International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," (all living beings on Earth are a family) or "Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family."

How do you celebrate the summer solstice? Leave a comment below.

Happy Solstice, Happy World Music Day and Happy Yoga Day! 

Talk soon,