The summer solstice (夏至) has been widely recognized a festival throughout the world.
The word solstice originates from the Latin sol and sistere, (mean) "sun-standing". As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems (stand) still in the sky. It is one of the great turning (point) of the year, when the sun is at its (high) point in the sky during a year.
Today, the day is celebrated around the world. In England thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the summer solstice. Throughout Europe groups light a fire and stay up all night to welcome the dawn. In Paris, the day (mark) with free concerts during the every year's Fete de la Musique. When it comes the U.S., the city of Santa Barbara in California holds the country's biggest celebration lasts a full three-day time. On the East Coast, New York City (traditional) welcomes the summer solstice with a music concert at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
In the southern part of China, Eating lychees (荔枝) druing the summer solstice is a long tradition because eating lychees will cause less "heat" to the body. There is a saying in Shangdong Province that (go), "Eating dumplings on the winter solstice day and eating noodles on the summer solstice day."
