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Joined: Sep 2008
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
It will be 'Fun and Games' in many regions of Germany tonight as it is Witches Night, and whatever the weather May 1st, May Day, with its Maypole traditions will be sure to live up to 'Tanz in den Mai', Dance into May.
May Day celebrations honor the beginning of summer, and the night before is Walpurgisnacht, when witches were believed to come out of hiding to join in the festivities.
May Day in Germany, Walpurgisnacht and Maibaum
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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Joined: May 2010
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,218 |
Great article Francine.
In England we have a bank holiday the Monday after the first of May, so this year it will be Monday May 7. This means that festivities often take place around the bank holiday weekend (or occasionally the weekend before) rather than on the first of May. Is the same true in Germany, or do celebrations take place regardless of the day of the week?
Asha Sahni
Dreams Editor
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
Am glad you enjoyed the article Asha, it is certainly a fun, if somewhat noisy time. Had no idea the first time I experienced it, wondered what on earth was happening during the night.
The holiday is always on May 1 regardless on what day that falls, so in France for example, where they don't celebrate May Day really but it is still a public holiday, some folk have taken a whole week off.
May Day was Tuesday..........so no point going to work on Monday, and only three days until Saturday so stretch it out a bit because next Tuesday May 8th is 'Victory in Europe Day', (VE Day), the end of WWII, another public holiday.
No point going to work on the 7th then.
However there is no May 8th holiday in Germany so everyone was back at work on Wednesday. 
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
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Francine, your article is great and very informative. What fun the celebrations must be.
Walk in Peace and Harmony.
Phyllis Doyle Burns
Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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Joined: Sep 2008
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
Thanks for your feedback Phyllis , and yes it is fun. It really is the proper way way to welcome in the spring, the lighter nights and warmer weather.............well at least that is what the calendar says, the wind, rain, cloud and temperature have not so far come to the same conclusion.
Had your May Day Cake again - Yum.
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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