In Karelia, the authorities do not intend to cancel the pagan holiday planned by residents, despite protests from the Russian Orthodox Church

On May 19, 2010, it became known that in Karelia, at a meeting of the commission on issues of religious associations under the head of the republic, ministers of the Orthodox Church expressed concern about the "cult of the Kalevala." Their concern is caused by the intention of the inhabitants of one of the villages to arrange a holiday in honor of one of the characters in Kalevala, the sorceress Louhi. The Orthodox Church has nothing against Kalevala itself.

The organizers of the event said they did not intend to preach paganism. Their goal is to "bring back the good name of Louhi". They said that the holiday can be considered the day of the village.

Some representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church are sure that this is the wrong approach to celebrating the day of the village. "So we will soon reach some kind of witchcraft," said the rector of the Catherine's Church in Petrozavodsk.

On May 21, 2010, it became known that the theme of the holiday was discussed at a meeting of the commission on religious associations in the government of Karelia. As a result of the meeting, the administration of the Loukhi district admitted that there is an ambiguous attitude towards this holiday among the local population. However, the authorities said they did not intend to cancel the event.

Sources

• Xenia Sorokina. Louhi Day or Beer Day? // Karelian province. 2010. May 19.
• The authorities will not cancel the pagan holiday // Petrozavodsk-capital. 2010. May 21.