The first of May, the last month of spring, is a very special day. It is Mothers’ Day,
Labour day and according to the Greek Communist Party; “it is not a holiday it
is a day to strike.”
The celebration of May Day has its roots in antiquity. The first day of May is considered a celebration of spring and was named after the Roman goddess Maia, which is Greek for "midwife" indicating life.
In ancient Greece, the fifth month of the year was dedicated to Demitra, the goddess of agriculture and celebrated the orgy of blooms and greenery that adorns the earth, during spring. The celebration of May Day continued through the centuries, with the lovely floral traditions of various countries. One of the most ancient May celebrations were the "Anthesteria" the first ancient Greek flower festival.
Nowadays, May Day is one of the few holidays without any religious connotations whatsoever and is celebrated in most European countries. All over Greece, besides preparing wreaths and bouquets, we also have other customs. Protomayia (May 1st) is a holiday when people traditionally go to the countryside for picnics, to fly kites and gather flowers.
This is a different May Day due to the coronavirus quarantine. We, unfortunately, cannot see our loved ones and our dear friends, we cannot go for picnics in the countryside, we cannot fly kites or gather flowers, we must stay at home. We terribly miss our beloved families and friends and we sincerely hope that by the end of May we shall be able to see them all and continue meeting them whenever possible.
Kifissia, an Athenian suburb in northern Attica, is famous for its fabulous flower show that takes place, yearly. during the month of May.
According to Greek folklore, May has two meanings: good and bad, it celebrates the victory of summer against winter, the victory of life against death. In the Ionian Islands, people walk holding small cypress logs adorned with yellow daisies, the "mayoxilo", thus celebrating the precious gift of life.
Kali Protomayia!
The celebration of May Day has its roots in antiquity. The first day of May is considered a celebration of spring and was named after the Roman goddess Maia, which is Greek for "midwife" indicating life.
In ancient Greece, the fifth month of the year was dedicated to Demitra, the goddess of agriculture and celebrated the orgy of blooms and greenery that adorns the earth, during spring. The celebration of May Day continued through the centuries, with the lovely floral traditions of various countries. One of the most ancient May celebrations were the "Anthesteria" the first ancient Greek flower festival.
Nowadays, May Day is one of the few holidays without any religious connotations whatsoever and is celebrated in most European countries. All over Greece, besides preparing wreaths and bouquets, we also have other customs. Protomayia (May 1st) is a holiday when people traditionally go to the countryside for picnics, to fly kites and gather flowers.
This is a different May Day due to the coronavirus quarantine. We, unfortunately, cannot see our loved ones and our dear friends, we cannot go for picnics in the countryside, we cannot fly kites or gather flowers, we must stay at home. We terribly miss our beloved families and friends and we sincerely hope that by the end of May we shall be able to see them all and continue meeting them whenever possible.
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| The Kifissia Park |
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| Kifissia Flower Show |
Kifissia, an Athenian suburb in northern Attica, is famous for its fabulous flower show that takes place, yearly. during the month of May.
According to Greek folklore, May has two meanings: good and bad, it celebrates the victory of summer against winter, the victory of life against death. In the Ionian Islands, people walk holding small cypress logs adorned with yellow daisies, the "mayoxilo", thus celebrating the precious gift of life.
Kali Protomayia!
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