"Tanz in den Mai!" (May Day in Germany)

[lebkuchen]

May Day is a holiday in Germany. At this moment most villages have a local band playing in the street with some dancing taking place. Some of the villagers have headed to the nearby forest on a tractorbed to cut down a tall tree--I think it's a poplar tree seen most often around here. Streamers are tied to the tree branches.

A hole is dug, probably the one from years before, and the tree is hoisted up. It used to be done by hand, with long wooded poles, but in this neck of the woods, a tractor helps to set the tree upright (much to the older folks' dismay). Wooden planks with shields on either end advertising various crafts/businesses in town (baker, blacksmith, farmer, etc) are nailed to the tree.

Then there is a grill party. Kids grill little sausages in the metal firepit wheeled in and filled w/charcoal. Usually larger bockwurst or bratwurst is also served, as well as cakes made by the local women and schnapps (usually pear) made by a family holding a "use it or lose it" generations-old license to made the schnapps. Beer and wine is also served.

Sometimes a villager will bring an accordian and sing and entertain all night. After everyone has left, the town's boys are to sleep next to the tree to prevent the nearby competing town from coming by to cut down the tree. In my village, the blacksmith has placed a metal protective device around the base of the tree so it's can't be cut. A couple of years ago the local village placed cement inside the hole so the tree couldn't be set up. That hole has since had a protective covering placed over it until 30 April.

That's what's going on over most of Germany right now. Dance into May! We're having "great" weather, though it's 5 - 6 degrees Celcius warmer than it should be.

[madinmaryland]

1. Is it May 1st already in Germany?

I didn't know you were that far ahead of the east coast US. I thought the difference was only six hours?

:shrug:

HAPPY MAY DAY!!

:party: