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Walpurgisnacht
Walpurgisnacht
Traditionally on Walpurgis Night, young men bring maypoles from the forest to the village to place them in front of the houses of the women they are secretly in love with. In the village center, everyone dances around a big maypole.
© picture alliance/dpa | Matthias Bein
Walpurgis is considered the patron saint against plague, coughs and rabies. The witches' bonfires that are still celebrated in many parts of Germany today presumably date back to this tradition.
Walpurgis visitors stand in costume in Wernigerode before storming the town hall on the market square. Walpurgis celebrations are held in the Harz Mountains on the night of May 1st. Walpurgis strongholds include the Hexentanzplatz in Thale and the Walpurgis celebration in Schierke. Thousands of visitors come to the Harz Mountains to celebrate the traditional festival.
A May bonfire burns with a straw doll dressed as a witch at the top. The May fire, also known as the witches' fire, is celebrated in many parts of Germany. A fire is lit on April 30th to drive away the evil spirits. A witch figure is usually placed on top of the pile of wood.
Once the fire has burnt down a little, in some areas the “Maisprung” takes place, a custom in which it is common for lovers to jump over the May bonfire together.
Rural May customs exist in various regions of Germany, where the arrival of spring and fertility are celebrated in an exuberant manner. In folk tradition, people protected their farms by cracking whips at night, laying out brooms and may bushes. The maypole,
usually a birch tree, is a symbol of fertility. Many of the customs at
spring festivals revolve around young couples who symbolize the human community.