May 1st is a public holiday in Germany, and May Day celebrations in many parts of the country involve Maypoles, Mayhem and Fun. In fact chaotic sometimes describes May Day Eve.

It is very different from the May Day parades with soldiers, rifles and tanks of communist countries, including in the former East Germany.

Here is the latest article from the German Culture site at BellaOnline


Walpurgisnacht, May Day and Maibaum in Germany
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13747.asp





germanculture.bellaonline.com has other articles that cover Germany's festivals, traditions, cuisine, travel ideas as well as topical and historical subjects, plus a community forum:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=247

If you have any comments, questions or ideas for topics you would like covering hope to hear from you, either in the forum or in response to this email message.




Francine McKenna, German Culture Editor
http://germanculture.bellaonline.com