Food Calendars Keep Ancient Festivals Alive in the Kitchen
by Germany’s May Day festivities featuring Maypoles, Maiwein, Maibaumkraxeln and the more elaborate Spring Festivals have endured in the hearts of Germans for thousands of years.
On May 1st people from the towns and villages gather in the public square for the raising of the Maypole. Once raised a small pine tree called a Maibaum is placed on top of the tree. Traditional songs and dances are performed around the Maypole. At the conclusion of the ceremony beer and wurst are eaten.
It goes without saying that beer is a popular choice of Germans on this day, however it’s not the only beverage to be passed around at the table. Maiwein, a special white wine flavored with fresh sprigs taken from the sweet woodruff plant , is Germany’s traditional May Day drink.
The fresh sprigs, which are cut into pieces and allowed to soak in the wine, are readily available across Germany during the spring. Some hostesses will serve Maibowle, which is a punch-like drink made by adding brandy or carbonated water and sugar to the Maiwein. Just before serving strawberries are often placed into the Maibowle. In years past, it was customary to sing Maiweinlied, a traditional May Day song, as part of the festivities.
The Maibaumkraxeln contest is another tradition associated with May Day. Practiced in many parts of Bavaria, which is located in south Germany, the Maibaumkraxeln contest can best be described as a tree-climbing contest with participants shimmying up the maypole for the coveted pretzels and sausages hanging at the top the maypole. While this may seem a simple task to the reader, it is not as the maypole is soaped down before the contest begins making it a slippery mess for anyone attempting to climb the 46 feet high trees.
Image via Wikipedia
If you’ll be in Germany on May 1st you might want to check out the following May Day venues:
What: Frühlingsfest 2009
Where: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany
When: April 17th – May 3rd
Events: Fairground rides, beer tents, food, live music and fireworks at night.
Image via Wikipedia
What: Syuttgart Spring Festival 2009
Where: Cannstatter Wasen, Stuttgart, Germany
When: April 11th – May 3rd
Events: Funfair, oompahbands, beer, firework displays, hot-air balloons and late-night parties with top DJs.
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Post CommentTabitha Hergest
On April 22, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I love it – and what you wrote is very inspiring for my own pet project, as I am involved in keeping alive the traditions of Keltic Albion. You may be interested to know that in London, Mayfair is named for the May Fayre which used, once upon a time, to be held there. It also sported a Maypole, and we are petitioning the Mayor of London to get the Maypole resurrected at Mayfair once again.
CT Aisyah
On April 23, 2009 at 3:03 am
Thanks! I absoluelty love heaing about the traditions from around the world and it was such a fun way to teach my kids about things they didn’t learn in school. Perhaps your Mayor should be told that in addition to keeping traditions alive the Maypole’s resurrection could bring favorable PR to London as well. lol I think you’ve got a great story idea sitting in your lap. If you write something please let me know when its published I’d like to read it.