Meredith Lemke '23 | Mayday Mayday, it’s Time to Celebrate!

This Saturday, May 1st, is a beloved annual tradition in Germany: Maitag, or “May Day” in English. Maitag is also known as International Tag der Arbeit, or “Labor Day.” Labor Day was declared a national public holiday in Germany in 1919, but Maitag has been celebrated in different ways long before the 20th century.

The night of April 30th to May 1st is celebrated by many as Hexennacht or Walpurgisnacht (Witches- or Walpurgis Night). When I studied abroad, my host family and all of our neighbors came together to celebrate Walpurgisnacht with a large outdoor bonfire, games, and drinking. This is a common tradition in Nordrhein-Westfalen, where I lived, and other regions in Germany. Other traditions include playing small pranks on friends and neighbors.

On May 1st, businesses close and students have the school day free to celebrate in diverse ways. Many Germans celebrate Maitag by spending the day outdoors to celebrate the coming of spring. My friends and I got outdoors by biking to a local lake called Seepark Lünen. At the park, there was a festival with food and drinks to buy, cotton candy, ice cream, and live music. People ate, drank, danced, and soaked in the sun near the lake.

Another Maitag tradition is to raise the Maibaum, the “Maypole” or “May Tree,” which is decorated with ribbons. Historically, the Maibaum was used to celebrate weddings. Communities would hold dances and festivals for young unmarried people to meet, leading to many weddings in May and Maibaum celebrations. The Maibaum also has a traditional dance in which individuals dance in a circle around the pole while holding the ends of long ribbons tied at the top. The dancers move in a pattern so that the ribbons braid as they criss-cross each other. I once tried to learn this dance, and it’s as tricky as it sounds! I highly recommend watching a video of this beautiful traditional dance on May 1st.

Another tradition is to hold political marches, speeches, and protests on Maitag, since it is also designated as Labor Day in different cities. These political gatherings often focus on workers’ rights. Berlin-Kreuzberg is particularly famous for organizing large political demonstrations on Maitag. These demonstrations represent and express the views of both the moderate and extreme left in Germany and labor unions often participate.

Maitag, or the International Tag der Arbeit, has a rich and diverse history in Germany. Each region celebrates slightly differently. Whether one fights for workers’ rights or celebrates the coming of spring, the day has a special meaning to many Germans across the country.

I highly recommend spending your Maitag outdoors, soaking in the new spring sunshine, and learning about the wonderful traditions this holiday has to offer.

From Wikimedia Commons