Suur Vanker ('the Great Wain' in Estonian, the Big Dipper) is a commonly known constellation in Estonia. In addition to Suur Vanker, the astronym Hunt Harja korval 'Wolf beside the Ox' is one of the oldest written recordings of ethno-astronomic designations. The tale about farmer Peedu and his wagon, formalised and elaborated by Jakob Hurt based on his collections, has been printed in school textbooks since the issuing of Mihkel Kampmann's reading book, Kooli lugemise raamat at the beginning of the previous century. Thus, the story is widely known and has been simultaneously considered an Estonian astral myth.
The article focuses on the initiation, spread, and implementation of the tradition of the night of ancient bonfires, mapping the cultural environment and describing the internal and external socio-cultural factors, as well as connections to identity creation of celebrating the last Sunday in August on the seashore. Data were collected through interviews and observations, and qualitative approach was used to reconstruct the dynamic of private and institutionalised marking. In the 21st century, bonfires are interpreted as remembrance of the past and continuation of tradition, based on ethnic identity. The authors present some comparative phenomena in the vicinity of Europe.
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