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).