A-MAY-ZING MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – C1 & C2
Maypole dances are important parts of many European May Day celebrations |
Image: Shutterstock
The origins of May Day
Like most modern day traditions, May Day derives from pagan festivities, in this instance to
welcome the return of longer, warmer days. It’s a celebration of survival too, an
acknowledgement that the potentially fatal winter days have passed. Now is the time to focus
on the fecund and anticipate the bounteous days ahead.
Lesser known are the origins of the May Day date. 'Floralia' and, later, 'Maiouma' were Roman
festivals held as early as 241 BC and typified by, at times, debauched celebrations and sacrifices
to worship the gods. However, these were held at the end of April and lasted into the early part
of May, rather than being confined specifically to the first day of May.
In areas of Europe, this date was better known as one of the Celtic cross-quarter days, a midway
point between the appropriate solstice/equinox. The Gaelic May Day was called 'Beltane', which
means "the fires of Bel", referring to the Celtic sun god, Belenus.
This festival of fire and feasts was traditionally celebrated in parts of Ireland and Scotland and is
enjoying somewhat of a revival in the UK in recent years, though one hopes the sacrificial lamb
aspect remains with our forebearers.
Arguably pre-dating all of the above was 'Protomagia', the flower-orientated May Day festival of
ancient Greece. This, in turn, may have derived from the even more ancient 'Anthesteria', held
in honour of Dionysius, the Greek god of heavy drinking.
The word ‘May’ comes from the Greek goddess of fertility, Maia. 'Protomagia' is dedicated to her,
Demeter - the goddess of agriculture - and Demeter’s daughter, Persephone. The Greeks still
celebrate 'Protomagia' on May Day with decorative wreaths of flowers and family picnics in the
countryside. However, in more recent years May Day has also come to mean less about
galivanting through flora and fauna and more about workers’ rights.
Outside of Europe, May Day has more associations with 'International Workers Day' than it does
fire and wildflowers. This is not the case in Hawaii, where May Day is called ‘Lei Day’, which was
conceived in 1929 to celebrate Hawaiian culture.
1 May International Workers’ Day
'International Workers Day' sprang up from the 'Haymarket Affair', an incident that began on 1st
May 1886 when a group of striking workers and their supporters, inspired by Australian
stonemasons downing tools in protest of their eight-hour week in 1856, clashed with the
authorities in Chicago. The resulting deaths and numerous injuries that occurred four days later
when the police attempted to quell the frustrations of protests, not to mention the controversial
execution of some labourers involved, sent shockwaves over the world.
Three years later, the ‘Second International’ was established in Paris to encourage global May
Day protests for workers’ rights. The movement gained significant momentum, inspiring the
'Labor Day' holiday in the US and firmly establishing 1st May as a day of protest for the rights of
workers all over the world.
Who were the major Roman gods and goddesses?
But as we all know May Day isn’t just a global affair when it comes to the rights of workers, it’s
an established part of our annual calendar and celebrated in numerous ways globally. In France,
for example, May Day is known as ‘La Fête du Muguet’ (Lily of the Valley Day) after King Charles
IX of France paid forward the gesture of being gifted a lily on 1st May 1561.
And speaking of France, the word ‘Mayday’, when applied as an international distress code (made
official in 1948), was the idea of Frederick Mockford, a radio officer at London’s obsolete Croydon
Airport. This was because of the similarity to the French word “m'aider”, meaning “help me”.
Though who he was trying to impress is anyone’s guess.
May Day in the UK
In the UK, May Day and fertility are largely celebrated with a simple village fete, a Maypole, and
middle-aged men dancing with bells and hankies, but other countries prefer huge parades and
processions. For example, May Day is as important as Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Finland,
and in Germany, we see the origins of the Maypole - unashamedly and intentionally phallic traditionally presented by young men to young women as a sign of affection. Women, on the
other hand, send gifts of roses or rice in the shape of a heart in return. However, during leap
years the roles are reversed.
May Day in Spain
Decorated wood or trees feature in Spanish May Day celebrations, and in parts of Italy, they
celebrate 'Calendimaggio' (the Day of May) with romantic songs and the exchange of symbolic
gifts such as eggs or wine. The Romanians have taken their love of wine to the next stage with
'Ziua Pelinului' (Mugwort Day) to ensure their fermented tipple doesn’t spoil before it’s enjoyed
in Autumn. Lastly, the Portuguese bedeck their homes with yellow flowers on the last day of April
to prevent the evil winter spirit from lingering and spoiling their crops.
As for the UK, the traditional Maypole dance wasn’t really a thing until it was revived by Victorian
heavyweight, John Ruskin, who essentially borrowed the niceties of 'Beltane' and added a few
more ribbons. He invented the whole crowning of the 'May Queen' schtick while he was at it as
well.
Unfortunately, this renewed interest in May Day also piqued the interests of the previouslyalluded-to Morris Dancers who, up until this point in time, had been confined to 'Whitsun' and
later 'Boxing Day'. So, if you see a troupe of awkward looking men hanging about with
sticks/hankies/bells/beards, you’re legitimately permitted to invite them to leave, thank you.
The below is adapted from: A-May-zing May Day celebrations from around the world | Sky
HISTORY TV Channel
A-MAY-ZING MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – B1+ LEVEL
Maypole dances are important parts of many European May Day celebrations |
Image: Shutterstock
The Origins of May Day
May Day is a celebration that began in ancient times to welcome spring and warmer days. People
were happy to have survived the cold winter and looked forward to the season of flowers, food,
and farming.
Ancient Festivals
May Day has roots in many cultures. The Romans celebrated spring with parties called Floralia
and Maiouma, which happened in late April and early May. In Celtic areas like Ireland and
Scotland, the festival was called Beltane, meaning “fires of Bel,” named after their sun god.
People lit fires and held feasts.
In ancient Greece, people celebrated Protomagia, a flower festival. It honored the fertility
goddess Maia, and also Demeter and her daughter Persephone. Today, Greeks still celebrate May
Day with flowers and picnics.
May Day as Workers' Day
In many places, May Day is also International Workers’ Day. This began in 1886 in Chicago, when
workers went on strike for better working hours. The protest turned violent, and the event
became known as the Haymarket Affair. In 1889, people around the world started using May 1st
to support workers' rights.
Modern Celebrations Around the World
 In France, people give lily-of-the-valley flowers on May Day.
 In Hawaii, it's called Lei Day, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
 In Finland, it’s one of the biggest holidays of the year.
 In Germany, young men give decorated trees to women they like.
 In Spain and Italy, people celebrate with music and symbolic gifts.
 In Portugal, yellow flowers are used to protect crops from evil spirits.
May Day in the UK
In the UK, May Day often includes a village festival, Maypole dancing, and Morris dancing. These
traditions were brought back in Victorian times by John Ruskin, who also introduced the crowning
of the May Queen.
Where does the call for help “Mayday” come from?
The word "Mayday" as a call for help in emergencies comes from the French word m'aider,
meaning “help me”.
May Morning in Oxford
May Morning is a yearly event in Oxford, held on 1 May. The tradition is over 500 years old.
Thousands of people, including students and locals, gather from around 5:00am. They meet on
Magdalen Bridge, the High Street, and near Magdalen College. Students and teachers of the
college gather inside and on its towers.
At 6:00am, the Magdalen College Choir sings the Hymnus Eucharisticus from the top of the 144foot Magdalen Tower. The choir also sings madrigals like Now Is the Month of Maying, and a
short prayer for the city is led by the Dean of Divinity.
After the singing, the bells ring for about 20 minutes. Then, people walk in a procession into the
city. From 6:20am onwards, there is dancing, music, and celebration in the streets.
Morris dancing often happens in places like Broad Street, Catte Street, and near the Ashmolean
Museum. Highland dancing takes place in Radcliffe Square.
In the past, students used to jump into the shallow River Cherwell, but this stopped in 2005 after
some injuries.
In 2020 and 2021, May Morning was held online due to the pandemic. In 2022, the event
returned with huge crowds, as it was a weekend and the first one after lockdown.
Original text
May Morning is an annual event in Oxford, held on 01 May – a tradition stretching back over 500
years.
The event typically attracts crowds of thousands of people – students and Oxford residents alike
– who start gathering under the tower, on Magdalen Bridge, and along the High Street from
around 5.00am. Students and fellows of Magdalen College gather in the college cloisters and on
top of the other towers within the college grounds.
At 6.00am, the Magdalen College Choir sing a hymn, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, written by the
College’s 17th Century choirmaster Benjamin Rogers, from the top of the 144ft Magdalen Tower.
The Choir traditionally sings three madrigals, including Now Is the Month of Maying. There is also
prayers for the city led by the Dean of Divinity.
When the Choir finishes, the bells rings out a celebratory chime for some 20 minutes. There is a
procession from the Magdalen Bridge up the High Street and into the city centre, and for a couple
of hours afterwards – from around 6.20am onwards – there is dancing, general revelry and
impromptu music, etc. to bring together Oxford’s communities .
In previous years, there has been Morris dancing on Broad Street, Catte Street, under the Bridge
of Sighs, in front of St John’s College on St Giles and on the forecourt of the Ashmolean Museum.
While Highland dance can be seen in Radcliffe Square, between the University Church and the
Radcliffe Camera.
There was a tradition of students jumping into the rather shallow River Cherwell from Magdalen
Bridge, but this was stopped in 2005 when several students were injured.
Due to the pandemic, May Morning 2020 was celebrated with an online offering, recorded
remotely by members of the Choir during the national lockdown. In May 2021, the Choir
presented an Online May Morning, recorded in secret during the preceding week (video below).
May Morning 2022 fell on a weekend (crowds are always bigger on weekends and bank holidays)
and following two years of lockdown, let’s just say the attendance was enormous.
Tickets
FreeNo tickets required
Good to know
 A crowd management system will be in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable morning for
everyone.
 Look out for stewards and signage guiding you to viewing spots.
 It’s important to follow any instructions from stewards, who are there to help you and
others enjoy the experience.
 Specific viewing areas for wheelchair users, families with young children, and those with
buggies are set up in the Magdalen College School car park and Rose Lane.
 Expect road closures from 2am to 9am on May Morning, affecting all traffic, including
bicycles
Gallery
May Morning is an annual event in Oxford, held on 01 May – a tradition stretching back over 500
years.
The event typically attracts crowds of thousands of people – students and Oxford residents alike
– who start gathering under the tower, on Magdalen Bridge, and along the High Street from
around 5.00am. Students and fellows of Magdalen College gather in the college cloisters and on
top of the other towers within the college grounds.
At 6.00am, the Magdalen College Choir sing a hymn, the Hymnus Eucharisticus, written by the
College’s 17th Century choirmaster Benjamin Rogers, from the top of the 144ft Magdalen Tower.
The Choir traditionally sings three madrigals, including Now Is the Month of Maying. There is also
prayers for the city led by the Dean of Divinity.
When the Choir finishes, the bells rings out a celebratory chime for some 20 minutes. There is a
procession from the Magdalen Bridge up the High Street and into the city centre, and for a couple
of hours afterwards – from around 6.20am onwards – there is dancing, general revelry and
impromptu music, etc. to bring together Oxford’s communities .
In previous years, there has been Morris dancing on Broad Street, Catte Street, under the Bridge
of Sighs, in front of St John’s College on St Giles and on the forecourt of the Ashmolean Museum.
While Highland dance can be seen in Radcliffe Square, between the University Church and the
Radcliffe Camera.
There was a tradition of students jumping into the rather shallow River Cherwell from Magdalen
Bridge, but this was stopped in 2005 when several students were injured.
Due to the pandemic, May Morning 2020 was celebrated with an online offering, recorded
remotely by members of the Choir during the national lockdown. In May 2021, the Choir
presented an Online May Morning, recorded in secret during the preceding week (video below).
May Morning 2022 fell on a weekend (crowds are always bigger on weekends and bank holidays)
and following two years of lockdown, let’s just say the attendance was enormous.
Tickets
FreeNo tickets required
Good to know
 A crowd management system will be in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable morning for
everyone.
 Look out for stewards and signage guiding you to viewing spots.
 It’s important to follow any instructions from stewards, who are there to help you and
others enjoy the experience.
 Specific viewing areas for wheelchair users, families with young children, and those with
buggies are set up in the Magdalen College School car park and Rose Lane.
 Expect road closures from 2am to 9am on May Morning, affecting all traffic, including
bicycles
Gallery