AGHIOU ΙΟΑΝΝΙ (SAINT-JEAN)

The equivalent of the French Saint-Jean: to welcome summer, to protect oneself from bad luck and purge oneself of the demons of the past year, to celebrate the longest day of the year... People gather in village squares - and in Athens, the biggest gathering is in Akadimias Platonos Park - to jump over a big fire, in a circle, to the sound of traditional music, drums and clarinets. Somewhere between a collective trance and a Greek village festival, you'll have a great time. The fire stays lit until 1.30am.