Library News and Views: Celebrate May Day by reading a book

By Kristen Kindle

Today is May Day. A holiday that has been around since before the Christian era as the first day of summer. Growing up I celebrated this day by driving the neighbor’s houses and sneaking a basket of candy to their front door and ringing the doorbell, if we were caught we got kissed. Many European countries celebrate the holiday but each have their own variations, and we included some library variations too.

Great Britain holds dances and a crowning of the May Queen, it is also when many villages celebrate the fertility of the soil. Since the Christian reform it has included the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, usually the seeds are planted by this time and is a good time for farmers to have a day off. This would be a good excuse and take the day off to read and enjoy the sunshine.

Finland celebrates the day before and the day of. The people enjoy a carnival style festival and have picnics outside while wearing special caps or decorative clothing. They also drink a special lemonade called “sima” that’s made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast. Make some sima and sit down with a book from Mika Waltari. If you don’t have one of his books, we have a few in our fiction section (hint hint).

On May 1, 1561, King Charles XI of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley to the ladies of the court each year. It became custom to give a sprig of lily of the valley on the first. Nowadays, people may present loved ones either with bunches of lily of the valley or dog rose flowers. Give this tradition a modern touch by giving them a book, maybe one from the library? Make sure they know when it’s due though.

In rural regions of Germany, Walpurgisnact (Walpurgis Night) celebrations are held on the night before May Day, including bonfires and the wrapping of a maypole. Young people use this opportunity to party. The day itself is used by families to get some fresh air. Motto: “Tanz in den Mai!” (“Dance into May!”). This day is also celebrated by the delivery of a maypole, a tree covered in streamers to the house of a girl the night before. The tree is typically from a love interest, though a tree wrapped only in white streamers is a sign of dislike. Women usually place roses or rice in the form of a heart at the house of their beloved one. It is common to stick the heart to a window or place it in front of the doormat. Ladies, if you have a person you fancy, a love poem copied from our generous collection will be sure to let that special someone know your intentions. Shakespeare’s sonnets perhaps?

Bulgarians celebrate a holiday called Irminden. It is associated with snakes and lizards, and rituals are made in order to protect people from them.

Old people believe that those working in the fields on this day will be bitten by a snake in summer. They also light fires, jump over them and make noises to scare snakes. This day is especially observed by pregnant women so that their offspring do not catch “yeremiya,” an illness due to evil powers. If you would like some extra security during your pregnancy a book about what to expect might give you some insider tips.

We at the library hope you have a happy and kiss free May Day!