Maifest!

What is Maifest?  It is a celebration in German towns and villages that welcomes spring.  It denotes that the long gray winter is over and welcomes sunlight, warmer weather and outdoor activities. 

Maifest (Mayday) May 1st, officially welcomes Spring. It’s roots are in the Pagan celebration of Walpurgisnacht (April 30 and a tradition in itself, this is when according to tradition and to help usher in the new season, the witches and warlocks would fly in from all over Germany (yes on brooms and goats, not Lufthansa) and come together on the Broken, highest peak of the Harz Mountains.  Here they would celebrate with bonfires and dancing.

The community in German cities and villages decorate a Maibaum (which means May tree, but is actually the May Pole).   This tradition began around the 10th century.  At that time craftsman would also carve shields depicting the towns various guilds or trade groups.  They decorate with ribbons, flowers and greens.  A wreath is added to the top with ribbons attached.

In the evening it is common to have bonfires to ‘chase away the darkness’.  There are dances to celebrate.  It really is a very festive occasion. 

Germans certainly know how to celebrate and Maifest is no exception. There is often plenty of food and special drinks, such as Maibock (a strong Spring beer) and a Maibowle (a wine punch similar to Sangria, but instead of citrus, with Waldmeister, or sweet woodsy stuff). 

So where is our Maibaum in Baltimore? Look no further, Zion Church’s German Language School celebrates every year.  Here in the garden at 400 E. Lexington Street, the Maibaum is raised.   There will be a Maifest celebration at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore on the first Saturday of May.

Beltane is written by Karl Heinz Eberlein, one of German Marylanders, German friends.  Karl lives in Hessen.  He explained that Beltane is an old Spring festival that falls between April 30th and May 1st (between Walpurgisnacht and May Day).  He explains that the older layer of this night is something different:  a mythic threshold between seasons, a time of fire, blessing, renewal and the turning of the year—much closer to what many call ‘Beltane’.  The poem attempts to reflect the older, quieter, more nature-bound meaning of the night, beyond the tales of witches and the Brocken. The poem has been posted in both English and German with the full permission of the author.

Arduinna is a Celtic goddess of the forests, hunting, and the Ardennes region. Often depicted riding a wild boar and carrying a knife, she was revered as a guardian of nature's untamed forces.