Dance into May

It feels like only five minutes have passed since we welcomed the new year 2017! It's already April, and May is almost upon us... Hard to believe, isn't it? All over the world, people are coming together to celebrate May with their traditions. These celebrations are usually very colorful, which we here at mara mea absolutely love! We've chosen five European countries to tell you about their May traditions. And since the colors inspired us so much, we've selected a product for each country that matches the corresponding May colors - enjoy!

Germany

When we in Germany think of the beginning of May, the tradition of the maypole immediately comes to mind. Young trees are felled and set up so that people can dance around them. There is a celebration and usually a bonfire is lit to mark the start of May. As it always takes place on the evening of April 30th, it is aptly called “Dance into May”. In old German stories, the night of April 30th is also called “Witches’ Night” because, it is said, the witches met on this night in the Harz Mountains to celebrate the arrival of spring. The German tradition of Witches’ Night, in the dark, tall grass and surrounded by dark woods, reminds us of our khaki diaper bag with the brown leather straps - little wanderer .

Great Britain

Unlike in Germany, people in Great Britain celebrate May Day. Many festivals and parties are held to welcome spring with its fresh colors and newborn animals. And, similar to Germany, people dance around a maypole decorated with colorful ribbons. The joy of the new colors, the beautiful green grass, and the sweet newborn lambs reminds us of our wonderfully fresh and bright urubamba diaper bag.

Finland

On “Vappu” – that’s what the May Day festival is called in Finland – people come together, dress up, have picnics and celebrate. Compared to other countries, Finland places a lot of emphasis on the food and drinks at “Vappu”. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s tippaleipa, a light and lemony dough that is fried and not only delights children. If you’re looking for a fruity refreshment, you should try the Finnish “Sima” drink. It’s made from lemon, brown sugar and baker’s yeast. It tastes sweet but still refreshing. The beautiful, strong orange of the “Sima” reminds us of the mara mea dress summer breeze . The perfect dress for spring!

Italy

In Italy, May Day is celebrated more spiritually than in other countries. There's a beautiful ritual where people give each other wine and eggs. Love songs are sung, and now comes the best part: a big feast. We can easily imagine a table full of pasta, creamy tomato sauce, and risotto . And for dessert, you eat delicious tiramisu and drink your favorite Italian drink. To match the tablecloth, we have the perfect accessory for you—our beautiful street market clutch.

Greece

In Greek, May is called "maio," which is derived from the name of the Greek goddess Maia. She is the goddess of fertility. May 1st marks the climax of spring and the fertility it brings. It celebrates the victory of summer over winter and, metaphorically, the victory of life over death. Therefore, it's customary to prepare and display many colorful flower wreaths. With so many bright and vibrant colors, we can only think of one product: the Senorita Bella diaper bag!

No matter where you spend May Day and what traditions there are, we hope you have a wonderful time and are inspired by the colors! We'll do the same for your new mara mea products. We wish you a wonderful weekend!

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It only feels like five minutes since we were welcoming in 2017, and now April is almost over and May Day is almost here – can you believe it? All around the world people come together to uphold the traditions of May day and welcome Spring. These festivals and celebrations are full of bright and vibrant colors which, here at Mara Mea, we just love. So, to see us into this long weekend of food, family and festivals, we have investigated five European countries' may day traditions to investigate their may day antics and written all about it here, just for you. What's more, inspired by the colors of May day, we have chosen products that match the colors of each country – enjoy!

Germany

In our home country, May day is synonymous with the maypole where young trees are chopped down and danced around to celebrate the coming of a new spring. In Germany it is typical for this dance to take place on the evening of 30th April and so this dance is aptly called “Tanz in den Mai” or “Dancing into May,” and is often accompanied by a bonfire. In early German folklore April 30th can also be called “Hexennacht” or “Witches night” where the witches come together and meet at the Harz mountains to celebrate the arrival of spring. Germany's may day traditions of dark green grass on high mountains and vast wooded areas makes us think of our diaper bag little wanderer , with a dark green fabric finished with brown leather straps.

Great Britain

Unlike Germany, Great Britain tends to do most of their celebrating on the day of 1st May with village fetes and parties marking the beginning of spring and welcoming the new springtime of fertility, soil and livestock. However, just like in Germany, it is common to dance around a maypole with colorful ribbons. Great Britain's great enthusiasm for the new fertility of livestock has made us think of lush green grass and young lambs, and that only makes us think of our bright and refreshing urubamba diaper bag.

Finland

Known as “Vappu” in Finland May day is a day when everyone comes together to dress up, have a picnic and party. However, in comparison to other countries, Finland has a special emphasis on food and drink. For those with a sweet tooth tippaleipa could be your new favorite may day treat. It is a light and lemony batter which is then deep fried, to delight all taste buds. But, if you're looking for something a bit more refreshing, the Finns have got us covered with their popular “sima” drink. Made from lemons, brown sugar and yeast, it is sweet and yet refreshing and with it's beautiful orange tinge it only reminds us of our equally refreshing summer breeze dress.

Italy

May day is somewhat more spiritual in Italy than in other countries, with a propitiatory ritual being common in most towns and villages in which gifts such as eggs and wine are exchanged. In order to celebrate the arrival of spring love songs are sung, as well as – and this is our favorite part – an indulgent May day feast. We can just imagine the many varities of pasta covered in creamy, tomatoy or spicy sauces finished off with creamy tiramisu and a typical Italian tipple. And this would all be laid on a beautiful, traditional table mat, one similar in pattern to our lovely street market diaper clutch.

Greece

In Greek the month of May, maios, took its name from the Greek goddess Maia, who was goddess of fertility. In Greece therefore May day is pinicalle in welcoming spring and the fertility that it brings. May day celebrates the victory of summer over winter as well as the victory of life over death. To recognize this, it is common to prepare wreaths made from wild flowers which encapsulate a multitude of colors. Such a mix of such bright and bold colors only makes us think of one product: senorita bella! 

So wherever you're going this May day and whatever traditions that might bring with it, remember to have your trusty mara mea product by your side. Have a lovely, long weekend.