Summer Solstice

Today was the summer solstice in Japan.

The summer solstice is a day that the daytime is longest and the night is shortest in a year in the Northern Hemisphere (this reverses in the Southern Hemisphere).

In the Japanese summer solstice, the sun rises about five hours longer than the winter solstice, which has the shortest daytime in a year.

Actually, there are almost no traditional events related to the summer solstice in Japan.

In Europe, on the other hand, many festivals to thank the sun seem to be held during the summer solstice.

For example, I heard that the day is "Fête de la musique" (Make Music Day) in French.

Also, the day seems to be a day that symbolizes love in various European countries.

In particular, for North European countries that have relatively short daylight hours, the summer solstice (midsummer) is one of the most important holidays.

夏至

今日は日本では夏至です。

夏至とは、北半球で1年で最も昼が長く、夜が短くなる日です（南半球では逆）。

日本の夏至では、昼が最も短い冬至よりも5時間ほど長く太陽が出ています。

実は日本において、夏至にまつわる伝統行事や大きなイベントなどはあまりありません。

しかし、ヨーロッパでは、太陽に感謝するお祭りが広く開催されるようです。

例えば、フランスでは国中が音楽に包まれる「音楽の祭日」だと聞きました。

また、ヨーロッパのさまざまな国で「愛を象徴する日」だとされているようです。

特に、日照時間の比較的短い北欧において、夏至は最も大事な休日の一つようです。

• The summer solstice is a day that the daytime is longest and the night is shortest in a year in the Northern Hemisphere (this reverses in the Southern Hemisphere).
• The summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year in the Northern Hemisphere (this reverses in the Southern Hemisphere).

• In Europe, on the other hand, many festivals to thank the sun seem to be held during the summer solstice.
• In Europe, on the other hand, there seem to be many seasonal festivals celebrating the sun and summer solstice.

• For example, I heard that the day is "Fête de la musique" (Make Music Day) in French.
• For example, I heard that this day is called "Fête de la musique" (Make Music Day) in French.

Interesting! I've heard that Celts who lived in Central Europe during Iron Age had festivals celebrating the Sun God.