May Day, Beltane and International Workers' Day observances

cultureMay 1, 20261062,120

Communities marked May 1 with Beltane fertility rites, the Choir of Magdalen College in Oxford singing from the tower at 6am, and International Workers' Day rallies and strikes in support of labor. May Day carries both ancient and political histories: in 1971 the Angry Brigade bombed the Biba fashion boutique on May 1, and Tito's Yugoslavia celebrated the holiday with state-organized picnics and communal bean soup. This year organizers launched a permanent Solidarity Fund to channel donations directly to striking workers. May Day matters because it blends seasonal ritual, long memory, and active labor organizing into public events that shape local culture and politics.

Darth Putin

@darthputinkgb.bsky.social

OTD in 1941 the Soviets held a May Day parade in Moscow. So they invited their Nazis allies cos it would be rude not to.

2812h ago

Darth Putin221

Guests were military attaches & liaison staff Stalin had already been warned by Churchill, twice, that Hitler would invade him. He dismissed them as imperialist provocations Imagine today if Russia were run by such a delusional, idiotic psychopath who really liked the far right

Bill Tinley5

They liked it so much they came back a few weeks later.

Alice Roberts

@profaliceroberts.bsky.social

Haopy May Day, Beltane, Floralia! People have celebrated this day with fire and flowers through the ages. I'm off to pick some hawthorn blossom to bring into the house!

3402h ago

Adam Rutherford8

And a full flower moon tonight!

Mack7

Happy Sigrblót(Beltane) to our British friends from Sweden🍻🇬🇧🇸🇪

Mike5

And the Lilly of the Valley across The Channel Happy International Workers Day

CalArtnArchaeology5

Happily and peacefully protesting my government this MayDay with a General Strike here in the US. 💪🐝🏵️ Enjoy the day across the pond and may your summer be abundant!

Wozbunny4

😱 my mum nearly had a nervous breakdown when I brought her some may flowers as a kid!! 'get them out of the house!!'

Rob Baron3

An old country ditty said to be a popular verse for this day: Hooray, Hooray, The first of May, Outdoor fucking Begins today

VikingFellaUK3

Here in France it's also Mother's day where people offer lily of the valley to their mums. These are in my garden.

rictilbe.bsky.social2

Indeed; whilst at university in Plymouth I went to the Padstow May Day festivities every year.

Coprolite90002

Spring's definitely in full force - I've been enjoying the waves of different plants and creatures appearing. Not quite fire and flowers, but have a ridiculously sparkly little wasp... bsky.app/profile/copr...

Geoff Sullivan2

I'm off to visit an old friend.

chicobach.bsky.social2

My grandmother wouldn’t have hawthorn blossom in the house considered them unlucky

BrooklynDad_Defiant!

@mmpadellan.bsky.social

I support the hell out of people showing their power to defy and strike at the oligarchy on May Day. But a lot of folks can’t afford to lose a day’s pay right now, and that’s exactly the problem. Do what you can. Speak up. Show up however you’re able. That still counts. #MayDay

1651h ago

OutJustInTime2

That’s the idea: a nation of serfs, dependent on their jobs for health care, living paycheck to paycheck, grateful for a job, too exhausted or depressed to vote. Here May 1 is a holiday, a week after another holiday 25 April) that celebrates the end of fascism. May such a holiday occur to the US.

hookland.bsky.social

@hookland.bsky.social

For we know this about May Day , it is the day when all the cut back horns of the old gods grow back. - #CLNolan #MayDay #Beltane

1201h ago

TrevorTheBotanist

@trevorthebotanist.bsky.social

Happy #MayDay #CalanMai. I’m taking a moment to enjoy the Hawthorn (also known as May or Mayblossom), the powerfully symbolic & sacred tree used throughout history to repel evil. Perhaps needed today more than ever.

892h ago

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

@ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social

Happy May Day! Celebrated on 1 May every year, May Day is a festival of ancient origins that marks the beginning of summer. In Oxford, celebrations begin at 6am with the Choir of Magdalen College singing from the tower, which you can see here in this watercolour by William Turner of Oxford.

Watercolour painting of Magdalen College tower in Oxford from across the river.

563h ago

Martin Travis

@martintravis.bsky.social

#Beltane #MayDay www.bidstonhill.org.uk/heritage/tra... No Druids or Morris Men on Bidston Hill this year for May Day sunrise, but a beautifully transcendent experience nevertheless, in the tranquil calm. Payed homage to the Sun Goddess carving whilst I was there. Offerings had been left.

624h ago

Skulls and Sheets

@skullsandsheets.bsky.social

Happy Beltane and May Day! Here is Little Mari from 2024 dancing with Jack in the Green

454h ago

Terri Windling

@terriwindling.bsky.social

Here on Dartmoor, Beltane Border Morris dances the sun up every May Day, keeping the seasons turning. Here's a link to a clip of this morning's dance, held high on the moor on the road near Hay Tor: www.facebook.com/reel/1587784...

Photograph: Beltane, our local Border Morris side, dancing on a road high up on the moor, at Cross Tree by Hay Tor.

353h ago

SiameseCaroline

@siamesecaroline.bsky.social

#OriginalRollCall Friday Ist May Happy May Day, blessèd Beltane. It’s May already! Where did April go?

464h ago

🇨🇵 Clare Price-Jones 🇪🇺28

Bonjour! Happy May Day comrades! Although I'll probably do housework today! Mr. Vides finally called to announce "on Monday we pour concrete!!" I think he imagines himself as a great orchestrator! Which in fairness, he is. Rain overnight, cool. Hopefully sun later.

Steve Norledge27

Pinch punch, ORCs, pinch punch. With luck the drain works will finish today. Have a corking weekend when you get to it and to set you on the right path, here’s a lovely bit of behavior seen at the park breakfast buffet yesterday. Sound up.

SiameseCaroline26

May Day, the start of summer in many traditions, a holiday in some countries, a Bank Holiday weekend here. Cunningly (I may have planned it that way) I have nothing in the diary till Wednesday. I’m going to attempt a mix of outdoor and indoor projects, while keeping an eye on the snooker finals…

Valerie Grund25

Morning Caroline and all you lucky people that are able to sleep longer today. Yes indeed, where did April go? Beautiful weather for a Bank holiday here and supposed to get very warm at the weekend so wonderful for people to enjoy a long weekend away. Me, I’m at home alone 😁

Dijana (Didi) 🇭🇷 🇺🇦23

Morning. I actually managed to sleep in a bit, so that’s a small miracle 😊. In-laws coming over for dinner tonight, so food shopping on the list of chores today. Oh, and cows were out in force in Cambridge yesterday (photos as evidence). Have a good day everyone 🧡

judenyorks.bsky.social22

Good morning. 1st of May! The year is racing by. Hair cut this morning, I don’t know what products they use but they almost always make my scalp itch. I generally come home and wash it all out, seems something of a waste. The sun is shining, will it stay for the bank holiday? Have a good weekend all

Neil O'Doherty20

Present! Beltane is upon us! Have a great B/H weekend all!

Lomelindi1219

May Morning Caroline & fellow orcs My favourite of months Have a decent day & don’t bomb any countries, y’hear?

Victoria Drummond18

Morning Caroline, ORCs. Happy Friday! Good news - I got the PA job, working mon-thu! Delighted. 6m contract initially, start 11/5. Off to Croatia on Sunday so lovely wee break before starting back. Hope you have a good day and an even better weekend.

Suzanne W 🖤💚💛😇16

Good morning Caroline and fellow ORCs, blessed Beltane, too Nothing much planned this weekend, although there is a Buddy Holly Tribute in the park on Monday! Have a lovely day 💞

🌻Margarance🌻15

Bonjour Orcs and welcome to summer. Grass is cut. Well, it was ‘cut’ already, but I’ve put the mower over to pick up the dried grass. Today we will tidy, put out the summer garden furniture. Barbecue will make a brief appearance before it rains this afternoon. Have a good day all. X

Jacqui15

Good morning! No work today, so a lovely four day weekend for us. Garden centre and a trip to the dog food supplier today, then more garden work over the weekend until it rains, then we switch to painting the bedroom wall. Fun! Happy May, everyone.

Rachel15

Blimey the year is rushing past! I blame that ORC that keeps counting down the half-terms! Sunshiny here but quite a bit of rain forecast over the next few days. But it is a long weekend so worse case scenario books and films. But first- Quickbooks Friday 🙄 Have a great day all! xx

Tony 15

Morning Caroline, morning all. The WiFi has a major outage so I'll have to update you via letter if that's ok? Looks glorious out there, I shall see the folks to use the facilities then stumble into the bakery on the way back. It's not my fault it's on the route 😂 Maybe the seaside at the weekend 🤔

Hilary15

Morning Caroline, morning all ☕️ So, it’s May 😳 I agree with others that April seems to have been & gone without too much impact. There was a sad post from JS2 yesterday, saying dog has appointment to be pts on Tuesday 😕. Poor her It’s a bad time for dogs - “telly Ted” yesterday, and I almost //

Linda Lovely15

I've been thinking it is May for the last few weeks so quite glad it is here now. I cooked some dodgy chicken last night..threw it away before we ate it, but I tried a tiny piece and now have a really dodgy stomach. Just glad we didn't eat it! Going to disinfect the fridge.

catsinfrance14

Bonjour ! Good morning! I need a day of rest as yesterday's travels to Laval and Mayenne wrecked my knees. By the end of the day I was in quite a lot of pain. So today I intend to take it easy.

RivermanRob13

Good Morning Caroline and ORClanders. Beltane blessings to you all. 24 degrees forecast here in Yorks. Hats and sunscreen on. Enjoy the day!

Louise13

Morning ORCs. Just having breakfast ahead of a walk around the neighbourhood. Sweeps Festival in Rochester is coming up over the weekend, I might venture over to have a look at that. Must finally get around to renewing my driving licence today, I keep forgetting!

Countess Quilterdown12

Morning. Cloudy - rain due? Happy May Day. Flower picking shortly for 1st official flower sale of season tomorrow. Friend visiting tomorrow ( he owns flat in Berlin where the boys stayed) so bit of housework. Maybe visit a fair on BH Monday. Have a good weekend all❤️❤️

Suffolk Sue12

Morning. Lovely warm day ahead. Off to Cambridge to treat my friend to afternoon tea for her 70th birthday. We shall wear our fancy dresses + dine on the banks of the River Cam. Hope my new and old girls behave themselves while I'm out. All in bed by 7.10pm after 1st busy day. Apart from Blanche!

Minnette10

Morning everyone; May 1st- my dad’s birthday- he’s long gone but much loved. Happy Birthday Dad! Have a good day folks.

Lady Weathergirl9

Morning SC, orcs, Happy May Day! Good news, the heron has not eaten all the fish! They’ve been lying low. Long-dreamed of trip to Oz booked for ‘27 when OH retires 😃 🥳 In other news, cleaned my newish white leather pumps, so satisfying! Will tackle v old white trainers today. Have a fab Friday!

Lynn Cullimore8

Bonjour Caroline et les ORCs. Tech is fighting me! My UK phone SIM stopped working, ironically given it's the fête du travail today here. Got some rhubarb out of the garden y'day, looking forward to fresh compote with our breakfast yogurt. Have some muguet for a bit of bonheur, and have a great day.

Cathy7

Happy may day to you and everyone

Ben not in Spain7

Good morning all, and May arrives in sunshine but with rain on its heels. Enjoy the long weekend!

sjcp7

Morning - woke to email from Ryanair changing the dates of the flights for my solo Venice trip in February 2027; I gain almost a full day in Venice on arrival and several hours on departure so I’m hoping Thomas Cook can just rubber stamp the changes to hotel dates (looks like the hotel has rooms ok)

Lorna the Sloven4

Happy May Day to you, too.

MDW4

Morning Siamese & ORCs. Late.Had to catch up on lost sleep. Public Holiday so no lorries! Brilliant sunshine and 10C going to 22C. Yellow and red fire warnings here. But rain is on its way next week so enjoy the weekend!

GuyD4

Didn’t find time to do this yesterday. No googling! #LostLyriic “Closer than a cat to the child that she'll smother” Band and song please

willofibres.bsky.social4

Morning all, travelling home today. Had a good meet up with my fellow herbal apprentices. Walking to the garden we hot a good look at all the work that is going on in readiness for Chelsea Flower show. Have a good day everyone

Equiton Press3

Good morning Caroline and ORCs. Been on here a fair bit less lately, trying to expend energy on creative things. The sun is out... hopefully the weekend won't be too damp. Happy leaping over fires!

Canary Kate 💛💚3

Morning everybody. Pic from my unruly garden yesterday. Mower still at the repair shop so it will remain untidy for some time May 🐝 ❤️. Trip to Suffolk on agenda today to see lovely friend. Meet at garden centre, mantra - must not buy plants, must only buy 2 plants, must only- oh dear.

jhuftonjr.bsky.social3

Good morning and happy May Day to you and our fellow ORCs 🤗🤗

NikkSinc 📚3

Morning Caroline and all ORCs, far and wide. Happy May Day 💐 Not quite sure what I’m doing today beyond changing bedding, washing and cleaning. Something so satisfying about a line of washing drying in the breeze. Hope you all have a happy Friday!!

An Taisce

@antaisce.bsky.social

Celebrating May Day and Bealtaine It is the traditional Irish transition to the new season of summer Hawthorn is in flower now and it has always had special significance as the May Tree Early Irish Brehon Law viewed Hawthorn as an important tree with its destruction considered a crime #MayDay

222h ago

Karin Celestine

@celestineandthehare.com

Shrews are sticklers for the old ways. Today they lit their Valborg fire. There will be jumping and dancing and singing but not while we are watching. Here’s to the light half of the year and Beltane May Day joy! You can read about some of the spring customs in my book the gift gatherers.

3018h ago

Past Glasgow

@pastglasgow.co.uk

It's May Day, 1960, and the imposing figure of American actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson leads the procession off from George Square, bound for a verdant Queen's Park, where he'll address 10,000 people at the bandstand. 🎥 British Pathe #Glasgow #mayday

201h ago