Usually celebrated May 1—around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox and midsummer solstice—May Day is a festival of ancient origins celebrated throughout Europe and around the world, marking the beginning of summer. Traditions include gathering green branches and wildflowers ("bringing in the May"), which are used to decorate buildings and made into wreaths; crowning a May Queen, sometimes with a male companion decked in greenery; setting up a Maypole, May Tree, or May Bush, around which people dance and sing; as well as related parades and processions. Many traditions feature bonfires as a major part of the festival. Regional varieties include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe, the Gaelic festival Beltane, the Welsh festival Calan Mai, and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the ancient Roman festival Floralia.
On this afternoon's Classical Music with Foley Schuler we'll hear a number of works in the spirit of May Day, and more, including some music in honor of International Workers' Day—the annual global holiday, also called "May Day" and observed on May 1, honoring the historical struggles and achievements of workers and the labor movement,
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
