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AP Limited Editions celebrates Russian Miniature
Art from the School of Mstera with the launch of Ivan
Kupala – The
Feast of The Baptist.
Ivan Kupala is a holiday that
traces its origins to pagan times in Russian history. It was earlier
known as Ivan “Solntsevorot
Day,” or the Summer Solstice, the longest day and the shortest
night of the year.
According to Russian folk tales, a beautiful
girl called Zarya invited the sun down to earth, washed him with
grassy dew and then helped him back on his way again. The water
on this day is believed to be charged with a special cleansing
power. Originally, this holiday was named “Kupala,” or “to bathe” after
the pagan goddess. The Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates
this day as the birth of St. John the Baptist (also known as “Ivan” in
Russia).
AP Limited Editions invites you to explore
the many stories contained in the symbolism of the past… |