Raising a maypole

[vera_j]

Yesterday evening was at a sign of "burning the witches" and raising a maypole. It is a long, long tradition but now limited mostly only to villages. There are not real witches burnt, there are big fires and people gather around and share drinks and celebrate a springtime and love. The most resilient ones stay overnight to guard the maypole because the boys from other villages always try to cut down other maypoles.
We were lucky this year, it was not raining and our maypole is intact. Our boys however cut down two other maypoles - and had to ruuuuuuuun!
Raising a tall tree trunk needs a team work and a good logistics:
1.A clean fir trunk with a wreath and ribbons still on the ground


2.The boys secure a wreath



2.3.5. The maypole goes up



a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/vjezkova/pic/0001984e/">


5.Evening celebrations

Comments

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Many thanks for the photos. I love learning about old customs.

In England, we sometimes have Maypole dancing with ribbons, but the poles aren't as tall as yours.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

My pleasure - the interest is mutual:-)