May Day, celebrated on May first, is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. While it is not widely celebrated in most parts of the U.S., in many parts of the world, the day is a time for festivals and other celebrations. May Day celebrations may include dancing, bonfires, songs, carnivals, and a Maypole. If you’re going to be traveling out of the country on the first of May, you may want to know what sorts of May Day celebrations you’ll run into during your travels. Here are some examples of how people in various countries celebrate the holiday of May Day.
-
Ireland. In Ireland, May Day marks the end of spring and the beginning of the summer. The celebration is based on the pagan festival of Bealtaine, a celebration of summer. In the regions of Leinster and the midlands, residents may still celebrate May day by decorating a May bush. Usually a hawthorn bush, the May bush is traditionally decorated with ribbons, cloth, and tinsel. In large, English influenced towns, the Irish may decorate a Maypole. Traditionally, the Maypole is raised in the center of town and decorated with ribbons and flowers. The festivities around the pole often involve dancing. May in Ireland is also associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and May Day celebrations sometimes include a procession in her honor.
-
England. May Day celebrations in England stretch back more than 2000 years. They stem from the festival of Flora, celebrated by the Romans. At the time, Flora was believed to be the goddess of fruit and flowers. May Day celebrations generally begin on the evening of April 30th, or May Eve. The oldest surviving May Day tradition in England takes place in Cornwall and is known as the Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss celebration. The celebration revolves around two famous hobby horses, the Old ‘Oss and the Blue Ribbon ‘Oss. The town is decorated with a variety of flowers and the day of May first is spent celebrating and dancing. Other May Day celebrations include decorating a May pole and church processions.
-
Finland. In Finland, May Day is a combination of several different celebrations. The ancient festival of hela the name day of Catholic saint Walburga, and a traditional spring feast day all converge on May 1. The atmosphere in Finland is one of raucous celebration, something like a New Year’s celebration. In Helinski, people gather in pubs and restaurants beginning on May Day Eve. The carnival atmosphere continues on through the next day. People decorate with balloons and streamers, wear party hats, and carry noisemakers. Large amounts of alcohol are often involved in May Day eve celebrations. Traditional food served on May Day includes salty dishes like pickled herring and Jannsson’s Temptation, a salty snack made with Swedish anchovy fillets. There is also a traditional Finnish May Day dessert: the May Day fritter, which is similar to a funnel cake. Mead is the traditional May Day drink.
May day is also celebrated in countries like Romania, Germany, and France. Take note of the May Day celebrations you encounter when traveling, and perhaps you’ll be able to bring some of the ones you enjoy home, and have May Day celebrations of your own.
