In Landes the night preceding the first of May is full of activities for many people. The maypoles decorated with paper flowers are transported and put up in the secret of the night. Measuring 4-6 metres, this represents some work! Each pole is unique. It is made with a tree, with or without bark, decorated with garlands of ivy and paper flowers. The decoration work can demand a couple of evenings for ten people... if they are done properly.
In Sweden we traditionally celebrate the arrival of summer at midsummer, Saint John`s eve, dancing around a flower decorated midsommarstång. Our flowers are real and we add a horizontal bar and two garlands, but otherwise they are pretty similiar to the French ones...
I was always interested in the origins of the maypole. Growing up, I thought it was a South-West thing, then I realized that it was common in many Northern European countries.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the Aquitaine maypole comes from England, back when Aquitaine was English, but then, maybe it really comes from Scandinavia, back when England was (partly) Viking territory.
I should check it out someday (I guess Google and Wikipedia have the answers)
To be honest I was really surprised to see those maypoles because I thought it was a unique thing for Sweden... didn't really write that here because now I feel silly...
ReplyDeleteEn lisant ton blog, je découvre l'histoire de ces arbres. Chaque fois qu'on vous rend visite, on en voit sur la route et souvent je me suis posée la question de leur signification (Mariage,Election,...). Alors merci Eva pour la réponse.
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