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Golowan (sometimes also Goluan or Gol-Jowan) is the Cornish language word for the Midsummer celebrations in Cornwall , UK Widepsread prior to the late 19th century and most popular in the Penwith area and in particular Penzance and Newlyn . The celebrations were conducted from the 23rd of June (St Johns Eve) to the 28th of June (St Peters Eve) each year, St Peter's eve being the more popular in Cornish fishing communities. The celebrations were centred around the lighting of Bonfire s and fireworks and the performance of associated rituals. Since 1990 the Golowan festival in Penzance has revived many of these ancient customs and has grown to become a major arts and culture festival its central event 'Mazey day' now attracts tens of thousands of people to the Penzance area in late June. THE HISTORIC FESTIVAL The ancient festival was first described by Dr William Borlase in 1754 in his book ''Antiquities of Cornwall''. Penzance Golowan was one of the last examples of this practice in Cornwall until its prohibition by the Penzance Borough Council in the 1890s due to increased insurance premiums in the town and perceived fire risk. The celebrations themselves were centred around the lighting of fireworks, tar barrels , and torches on the evening of the 23rd of June every year (St John Eve). Towards to end of these festivities the local youths of the town would take part in the ancient Serpent Dance and jump or pass themselves through the dying embers of the flames. During these celebrations it was also usual to elect a Mock Mayor or Mayor of the quay. The day after these celebrations, a 'Midsummer's Day' fair took place on Penzance quay; boat rides and other entertainments were included in these celebrations. Two descriptions of the fire festival in Victorian times follow below. speaches at the modern Golowan Festival]] St Peter's Eve in her book Cornish Feasts and Feasten customs describes a delay to the Newlyn festivities in 1883 when the majority of the Newlyn fishing fleet were are sea returning to celebrate the fire festival many days after the actual event. Polperro is also believed to be the site of major St Peters Eve celebrations. Mevagissey feast which occurs around St Peters Eve continues to be celebrated. St Just The people of St Just In Penwith had there own particular practices, Lakes Parochial history of Cornwall (1868) states. SIMILAR FESTIVALS Through out Europe there a similar fire festivals held on the 23rd and 24th of June. St. John's Eve in Ireland , Jāņi in Latvia and Saint Jonas' Festival are but a few examples. It seems that Golowan is just one example of a much wider Midsummer european tradition. MODERN GOLOWAN CELEBRATIONS The modern Golowan festival in Penzance started in 1990 as an attempt to revive many of the traditions stated above and has grown into one of the UK's most unique festivals. The core of the modern festival is 3 days known as Mazey Eve, Mazey Day and Quay Fair Day. Mazey Eve takes place around the harbour area of Penzance and includes a popular election of the 'Mayor of Quay' and a large firework display. The following day - Mazey Day is a large community and arts celebration. Artists, Schools and members of the public take part in a series of processions that include music, giant sculptures and variety of other artistic activities. Contributions from musicians and artists from the Celtic nations are a regular feature as are a variety of other musical contributions. Penzance itself during this day is decorated with large amounts of greenery - mirroring the practice in the town during the ancient festival. A large number of market stalls are also present throughout the town. Mazey Day attracts thousands of visitors to the area and has become an important symbol of the identity of town amongst local people. Quay Fair day is a celebration that is similar in many ways to 'Midsummer Fair' described in the ancient festival with the addition a popular street entertainment. The ancient Golowan celebrations were also the inspiration for the Old Cornwall Societies midsummer bonfire celebrations. The bonfires extend in a chain from Kit Hill on the Devon border to Penwith . SEE ALSO
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