1 May – Traditions and a public holiday

From the Maypole to Labour Day

A celebration for a tree

The raising of the Maypole is an integral part of tradition throughout Austria. However, Maypole festivals are not only common here, but throughout Central and Northern Europe. Usually, a tall, stripped and decorated tree trunk is erected in the village square. The decorations can vary greatly depending on the region. In many regions, wreaths and ribbons are hung on the tree, whilst elsewhere figures, coats of arms, signs and, in some places, even sausages are used. In Bavaria, the maypole is often painted in the state colours of blue and white. In the Salzkammergut, a fir or spruce tree is usually decorated with wreaths made from conifer branches. A village or town festival is held to mark the occasion. Traditionally, there is music from folk bands, along with dancing, beer and local cuisine. Everything that makes a village festival what it is. Erecting the tree can take several hours, depending on how many people are involved. An important part of the Maypole festival is the Maypole climb. The aim is to climb the Maypole as high and as fast as possible. It’s not that easy, as the trees are often slippery and the bare trunk is polished. In St. Georgen im Attergau, there are two Maypole festivals. After a break of several years, it’s back in the town centre and, as every year, at the Grüner Baum inn. The origins of this custom go back to the symbolism of fertility and health. In Austria, the Maypole festival was first mentioned in 1466. In the 17th century, Maypole festivals were used as a welcome opportunity to look for a bride. The village bachelors would bid for the unmarried women. The highest bidder of the day was crowned May King, who would then erect a beautifully decorated Maypole outside the window of his May Queen. Many marriages were thus initiated.

When the Maypole is stolen

Incidentally, stealing the maypole has also been part of the tradition right from the start. Today, it is often neighbouring villages or rival clubs that steal the maypole and only return it in exchange for beer and food. There are traditional rules for this in the Attergau:

1. The maypole must be stolen without technical assistance, i.e. using only muscle power.
2. The maypole may only be stolen on the three days prior to its erection.
3. The maypole must be returned no later than three hours before it is erected.

Anyone who is unaware of or disregards the traditional rules may even get into trouble with the police, for example, if a chainsaw is involved. Due to the great enthusiasm for stealing the tree, guards are usually posted to protect the maypole from theft. However, this is not always successful.

Labour Day

The first of May is a public holiday in several respects, as Labour Day is also celebrated on this day. Labour Day dates back to the international trade union movement, which demanded the eight-hour working day through strikes in the 19th century. In Austria, the first rally in this regard took place in 1890. At that time, over 100,000 participants took to the streets in Vienna’s Prater. Socialist May Day celebrations were banned from 1933 onwards. Under the National Socialists, this date was used for propaganda purposes as ‘German Labour Day’. After the war, 1 May was formally an Austrian public holiday and thus the first non-religious public holiday following the Second World War. Not to be confused with the National Day, which has been celebrated on 26 October every year since 1955. Even today, many workers and social organisations gather on 1 May to send a joint message in support of social policy.

written by Christian Messmer