Feast of Elena

"Today, on the Summer solstice, we celebrate the gift of sunlight. It grows the crops which feed our bellies and gives us warmth in its golden embrace. The Sun protects and heals our bodies, and together we send up our thanks to Elena for what we have been given. Let today be a reminder of the bounty that we have received."

A Day of Celebration

Elena is the deity of the sun and summer, and as such her Feast day is held on the summer solstice, which is the height of summer and the day of the longest light. The day is dedicated to the celebration of sunlight and the summer, most especially the food which is only made plentiful when the sun shines upon the land.

In honor of the longest day of the year, folk rise just before the sun and stay outdoors all day until the sun sets, basking in the warmth. Towns are decorated in all the seasonal flowers and vines, wrapping garlands of greenery around the eaves of houses and across streets. Typically, the main festivities are held away from the town proper, in a suitably large field or other open expanse in order to allow folk to enjoy the sunlight to its fullest. This field is decorated with greenery as well, and typically large trestle tables or blankets are set up where folk can sit and enjoy the feast's offerings.

Some larger towns make this Feast day into a very grand affair, with booths and games and entertainment to tempt in tourists from more remote areas. The booths usually sell trinkets made from Elena's sacred stone and wood, carved into holy symbols of the sun deity. Craftsmen also sell the typical festival wares, such as finely crafted weapons, jewelry, or various herbal and magical supplies. Games are generally skill-based, such as throwing knives at targets or hammer games to measure one's strength. Prizes are generally Feast-appropriate trinkets and symbols of Elena, as well as baskets of bread, vegetables, and other summer foods.

The Feast

The main part of any Feast of Elena is the feast itself. Summer is a bountiful time and as such much of the fare is fresh, picked just the day prior or sometime very recently. There are salads of all kinds topped with nuts, creamy cheeses, and slices of apple or pear, paired with fresh, light dressings, particularly a wide selection of vinaigrettes in many different flavors. There are yeast breads served in long plaits and washed with egg to a golden shine, and small flaky biscuits served with fruit jams and butter or under mounds of fresh berries and sweet whipped creams. Fruit tarts are extremely popular - flaky pastry filled with various fruit compotes and topped with sweet cream. A staple of any Feast of Elena are the golden honeycakes - sweet cakes soaked in honey overnight and cut into sun shapes dusted with honey crystals. The cheeses served at this Feast are generally fresh cheeses, creamier in texture and with a milder taste than the cheeses served at cold-weather feasts. They can be studded with nuts, berries, and even herbs. The feast would not be complete without a great selection of roasted and grilled vegetables from local farms. Each year's selection varies depending on what crops are ready for harvesting around the time at the feast, but it is common to see tomatoes, summer squash, and corn.

For drinks, there are plenty of cold beverages. Alcohol is not served until the sun begins to set, and is typically served in the form of light cocktails with plenty of fruits. For the young folk, there are fresh fruit juices and cool herbal teas, especially mint and hibiscus. These are sweetened with honey or other syrups and served with pieces of ice to keep the beverages cold and refreshing.