May Day comes around once a year, giving those who work a five-day week a much-needed break. But what actually is the reason for celebrating May Day?
In this article, we’ll explore the history of May Day in the United Kingdom, and what it means in various cultures around the world.
What is the history of May Day?
There is actually a dual purpose to the May Day celebrations. It is both a heralding of the joys of spring and a celebration marking new labour laws from a millennium past.
May Day first gained ground as a public holiday in the 1980s, as then UK Secretary of State for Employment Michael Foot cemented the annual holiday.
But the origins of May Day actually hark back much further to the Roman festival Floralia, which celebrated Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. The day was marked by competitions, entertainment and sacrifices.
The Catholic church adopted the festival in the 18th century to pay devotion to the Virgin Mary, Queen of May.
Then the focus of May Day turned to labour laws in 1889. Following a Marxist International Social Congress meeting in Paris.
How is May Day celebrated in 21st century Britain?
London sees the May Day march and rally, which stays true to the trade unionist roots of May Day. Members of trade unions give speeches covering the issues of the day.
In Oxford, people gather round Magdalen Tower at dawn where a performance by the choir of Magdalen College sing two traditional hymns, Eucharisticus and Now is the Month of Maying, at 6am.
In Maidstone, Morris dancers cross the Barming Bridge bringing in the new Morris dancing season. In Scotland, Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival, held on the evening before May Day, is a festival including ritualised art performances to mark the beginning of summer.
May Day around the world
Hawaii
Lei Day, as it is known is Hawaii, celebrates the aloha spirit and the giving of the flower. Schools put on performances where a Lei Day court is elected and Kings and Queens are chosen to represent the Islands.
Bulgaria
Bulgarians celebrate Irminden on May Day. Snakes and lizards are closely associated with the holiday, and rituals are undertaken to protect against them. The rituals stem from the belief that on the days of the Holy Forty and Annunciation snakes come up from their burrows; on Irminden it is believed that their king ascends. The older generation believed that on this day anyone working in the fields will be bitten by a snake.
The name for the festival, Irminden, comes from the prophet Jeremiah, although it is believed that its origins are pagan in nature.
In Western Bulgaria, fires are lit and people jump over them while making noises thought to scare off the snakes.
Italy
In Italy, May Day is known as Calendimaggio or Cantar Maggio. This seasonal feast is taken to welcome the arrival of spring. A ritual involving an exchange of gifts which often includes eggs, wine and food or sweets.
America
In the US, May Day is related to workers’ rights but in a rather more sombre affair. May Day is linked to the Haymarket Affair, a disaster where ten people were killed in Chicago over a protest for an eight-hour day.
Global translations with local cultural sensitivity
We hope you have learned as much about May Day as us during the writing of this article!
It’s clear that different countries have incredibly diverse nuances to their traditions – even when the celebration itself is the same on the surface. We pride ourselves on the appreciation of linguistic and cultural nuances by always using native speakers to translate your documents. We believe it’s incredibly important to partner with a translation agency that understands the sensitivities of your target market and always ensures your meaning is carried across countries and cultures – quite literally the etymology and definition of translation.
At Bubbles, we have been working with businesses to localise their technical, marketing, legal and product and service documentation since 2003. We’ve translated into 280 languages, and our team of talented translators work well with tight deadlines and last-minute requests. Get in touch with our dedicated project managers for a quick quote today.
