Bonne fête du muguet!
I recycle this post every year because I don’t want to change anything about it. If you read it last year … or the year before , I hope you enjoy it again. Listen to the cheerful May 1st video and do a happy dance!
En mai, fais ce qu’il te plait!
Provençal proverb ~ In May, do what pleases you!
Every May 1st I love to talk about one of my favourite traditions in France ~ La Fête du Travail or La Fête du Muguet. The day is a national holiday ~ International Workers’ Day, like Labour Day in North America. But more than that it is an occasion when people give little bouquets or sprigs or pots of le muguet (lily of the valley) to each other. Like so many of the things we love about France, the tradition has lasted for centuries. It began in 1561.
In my early years of blogging, I read a post by my friend, the talented writer/reviewer Claire McAlpine and I like sharing her story each year. It’s sweet, and explains the tradition so well.
Two years ago, my husband and I had just finished a magical stay (but then isn’t it always?) in Paris and the Loire Valley. We were driving south to the Dordogne region and in every town, big or small, this was the scene. Even on a drizzly day. I loved it!
Obviously, young or old, everyone puts a lot of thought into this tradition.
Le muguet or lily of the valley represents a porte bonheur, a good luck charm, to special people in your life. Sing along!
Does your culture or country have a special May 1st tradtion?
Merci beaucoup pour le brin de muguet et bonnes vacances en Provence.
I love this tradition. It won’t catch on here though because …. the lilies of the valley are still very tightly in bud.
You are right then, Margaret. It’s not going to work if those flowers aren’t in bloom.
The French get to keep the tradition all to themselves!
Cheers!
Yay!!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt