April 30, 2011 - Walpurgis Night



It's May Day Eve tonight! Time to eat, drink, and be merry around a roaring bonfire!

Some people dress up like witches and go out into the streets in a sort of wandering carnival.

There's dancing, “capping” (wearing caps decorated with pom poms, and putting similar hats onto statues), entertainment and speeches...and sometimes pranks, as well.

This holiday is called various names in various countries, including Sweden, Finland, Germany, Estonia, and the Czech Republic.


What's it all about? Well, it's another spring festival—another way of celebrating the return of sunshine and warmer temperatures. It seems to me that this holiday is a cross between Halloween and Mardi Gras—but with the added benefit that the next day, May Day, is also celebrated by many!

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