Maibaum tradition in the Rhineland: How young men celebrate their love

The night of May 1st is a magical time in the Rhineland and is used by many as an opportunity to show his love. Traditionally, young men decorate small, filigree birches, who are then secretly placed in front of the houses of their loved ones. These maypoles, often decorated with colorful crepe ribbons, carry a red heart on which the name of the lover is. These gesture rituals are deeply interwoven with regional traditions and symbolize the beginning of spring and new life cycles.

Various providers, including the state company forest and wood, sell

annually, between 1,200 and 1,600 small birches. These are offered in hardware stores and at horticultural companies and are very popular. With their early driving out, the birch trees are considered a sign of burgeoning life and reconciliation with nature. In addition to the secretly positioned maypoles, there are also more central celebrations in which mayifies are placed in the village, often as part of larger celebrations.

However, it is important to note that visiting public places to beat birches is illegal. Authorities urge the consequences that can range from high fines to claims for damages. In addition, certain regulations must be observed when transporting the maypoles in order to ensure both the safety in road traffic and compliance with legal provisions.

It often shows whether the declarations of love of the maypole authors are crowned with success. But already on the evening before, at the so -called dance in May, many have the opportunity to close romantic gang and get closer. These events create a special sense of community and a space for undisturbed togetherness that have become a tradition for many in the Rhineland.