Friday, May 2, 2014

Back to Salzburg: May Day & Maypole Rising


May Day

My friend and I walked along the side of the fortress where we found the Maypole Rising.  Most of the Austrians were wearing traditional tracht (Dirndls and Lederhosen.)  I was aware that Austrians would be wearing these traditional outfits, and that the pole would be rising, but other than that I didn't know what to expect.   This is an all day event that begins with the Maypole on the ground. Slowly several men will work together to push small wooden poles against the main pole to slowly lift it. Of course the men took several brakes to drink the beer that was brought to them by women in Dirndls. I enjoyed the family feel this event had to it. This tradition dates way back to the medieval age.  At some festivals, the men will even attempt to climb to the top of the Maypole to grab their prize.









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