My sweet and romantic ideas regarding "May Day" have
been somewhat altered since living in Germany. I have
learned that the 1st of May, "May Day" as we know it, is
not only about May poles with festively dressed people
dancing around a brightly colored May pole. It also has
to do with labor unions and marches in many European
countries. Originally a May Pole was erected in a village
to celebrate a marriage taking place. Some of May Day's
early history also tells of villages welcoming the spring
season with May Pole dances. Other tradiotions also
include young men decorating a tree with bright ribbons
and placing it at the home of a girl they like. Since the
late 1800's May 1st also became the day to organize labor
marches and bring notice to their causes. The holiday began
on this day when a union of world socialist parties wanted
to show support to the striking Chicago workers at the time.
Jointly they decided to recognize May 1st as a world wide
holiday called "Labor Day." This holiday has the history of
special importance in many socialist and communist countries,
which in part, is why the U.S. chooses to have their Labor Day
holiday on the first Monday in September instead. I am glad
we don't celebrate Labor Day on May 1st in America so I can
still enjoy my romantic ideas of May Day. I am going to enjoy
the more colorful and festive element of May 1st and focus on the
celebration of spring and love in the fun and romantic way!
~May Day celebrations occur in other countries such as
England, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.~
I went around our neighborhood to look for signs
of spring in May. Besides all the beautiful flowers
in gardens and pots there were several "Love Trees"
hung up by people's doors with names attached.
These two were a few houses away from us.
This is the building across the street with a colorful
"Maibaum" (May Tree) attached for a girl who lives here.
Jim and I ride bikes in the mornings and along
our route we saw a few more Maibaums.
Just up the road from us, in the little
village of Pech, we saw other Maibaums.
I thought this home with the tree in front was so sweet.
This is a store, but the building next to it seems to be
an apartment, the tree was attached to the building.
an apartment, the tree was attached to the building.
Further into the village was this really
colorful one with lots of pink in it.
This tree is attached to a pole in
our neighborhood.
Here are two more in our neighborhood,
one is attached to the street light.
It's so delightful to see these festive
and cheerful trees around our homes.
Now to be able to see a Maypole dance!
