May Day

We could see nine bon fires from our patio, some within yards, others in the hills several miles away. We could hear the villagers cheering and singing around the fires closest to us. It’s a competition of sorts. A tradition carried out on the eve of May Day, which is Labour Day here in Kosova.

While America doesn’t make much of May Day (May 1), it is a festival with a history predating Christ, and today it is celebrated all across Europe for many different reasons. It’s pagan roots have been Christianized or secularized over the years. May 1st is approximately half-way between the summer equinox and the winter solstice, in Catholic circles it’s a day to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary, it’s mostly known as International Workers Day and often hosts as many protests for worker’s rights as festivals for youngsters and families.

Wikipedia tells me: Long ago the May Day custom was the setting of new fire. The fire itself was thought to lend life to the burgeoning springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the smoke for seeing good luck. I don’t think the folks here were thinking of these associations, they were just trying to make the biggest bon fire that gave off the most black smoke and had longlasting embers.

Good luck to you and your sweetheart. Smokey says, “Don’t play with fire”.