Night of the Ancient Bonfires

In ancient times, fires were lit along the coast to notify and warn of imminent danger. During the last twenty years, the Night of the Ancient Bonfires has been celebrated along the southern and south-western coast of Finland on the last Saturday of August. Fire has been lit to say farewell to the summer that has passed. Since many years, Estonia has also participated.

Along the west coast of Finland, in Ostrobothnia, the tradition has been upheld from as early as the 1800’s and is called the Veneziad.
This year, Turku is Europe’s cultural capital, along with Tallinn. The Turku 2011 Foundation, which is coordinating the year in Turku, has given a pledge: to encourage people to contribute to the community by lighting the Ancient Bonfires and promising to do something specific to save and protect the Baltic Sea.

This year, the ancient fires will be introduced to Turku city centre for the first time. The bonfire floating in the River Aura will be lit on 27 August at 9:30 pm from the Theatre Bridge. After this, the bonfire will be transported along the river toward the sea. The same time, an old-fashioned beacon near the Swan of Finland will be lit, along with the twelve other small beacons stemming from the Crimean War out in the Turku archipelago.

Act to promote the wellbeing of the Baltic Sea:

• Light your Ancient Bonfire on Saturday evening of August 27, at 9:30 PM, Finnish time, and in advance on the virtual map on the Internet.
• Give an eco-pledge in connection with the lighting of the fire, to protect the Baltic Sea.
• Indicate your fire and your pledge on the map, and let the virtual chain of Ancient Bonfires grow at www.ancientlightsnight.fi
• Your eco-pledge may be a major deed or small, as long as it is a step in the direction of a cleaner sea.
• Encourage your friends and colleagues to give an eco-pledge and spread the message of the Night of the Ancient Bonfires!