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BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Beltane Fire Festival marks arrival of summer in Edinburgh
Thousands of people have gathered in Edinburgh to mark the arrival of summer at the annual Beltane Fire flocked to the city's Calton Hill on Wednesday night for the traditional Celtic ritual display celebrating the turning of the 7,000 people were in attendance to see the hill lit up with fire-filled displays soundtracked by thunderous drumming and performers in striking festival has been celebrated in the city on 30 April every year since 1988, but its traditions are thousands of years old. Elders known as the "Blues" provide space for the community to tell the traditional stories of the May Queen, and the death and rebirth of the Green role of May Queen, a mother goddess figure, is usually held by the performer for several story dictates the transition from winter to summer, which can only happen when the Green Man, an archetypal figure in folklore all over the UK, dies and is reborn does so in order to shake off the last vestiges of winter. In October, the Samhuinn Fire Festival takes place at Holyrood Park, marking the transition back to the winter Bloom, chair of the Beltane Fire Society, said: "Another year, another magical Beltane."As we roll into summer and carry the May Queen's message of renewal with us, a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses who made it all happen."
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
18 Pictures of Edinburgh's Beltane Fire Festival 2025 on Calton Hill
The ancient Celtic tradition, that goes back more than 3,000 years, marks the changing of the seasons and attracts huge crowds every year. Organised by the Beltane Fire Society, the event was first performed in it's current form in 1988, and is a reinterpretation of the centuries old ritual that thrills audiences with captivating storytelling, fire spinning, music and dance. Around 6,800 people attended the event on Wednesday night, where they followed the procession around the historic site, that sees the May Queen and the Green Man lead hoards spectators around Calton Hill as they visit elemental points on the hill and pay respect to the elements. Here are 18 pictures from the Beltane Fire Festival 2025. 1 . Sundown The annual event on Calton Hill begins shortly after sunset | Lanta Anastasia Fraerman Photo Sales 2 . Pyrosphere Fire plays an important role in the festival and Pyrosphere performers can be seen putting on dazzling displays throughout the night | Izzy Henry Photo Sales 3 . May Queen Edinburgh University PhD student, Alixandra Prybyla, took on the role of the May Queen for the third time | Dan B Photo Sales 4 . Aquarium This year's festival included an Aquarium zone where aquatic animals of all shapes and sizes learned there is a life beyond their glass walls | Izzy Henry Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghCelticMusicDance
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival 2025 sees huge crowds on Calton Hill
Beltane marks the turning of the seasons (Image: PA/Jane Barlow) The night was filled with drumming, hundreds of performers and plenty of fire - illuminating Calton Hill with 'a fierce and joyful energy', organisers said. Fire takes centre stage in the show (Image: PA/Jane Barlow) Jenny Bloom, Beltane Fire Society's Chair said: 'Another year, another magical Beltane. As we roll into summer and carry the May Queen's message of renewal with us, a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses who made it all happen.' READ MORE: The modern Beltane Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the spring and summer counterpart to Samhuinn Fire Festival, which is held at Holyrood Park on 31 October. Performers don exotic costumes (Image: PA/Jane Barlow) The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the start of summer and the onset of winter. The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Happy May Day! How to celebrate spring, labor rights and Hawaiian culture
Happy May Day! How to celebrate spring, labor rights and Hawaiian culture Show Caption Hide Caption Gardening tips and tricks for beginners Ready to elevate your gardening game? These 15 tips will help you grow a greener, healthier garden indoors and out. May Day, or Beltane, is a Gaelic and Celtic festival dating back to the Middle Ages. The festival honors the start of summer, as spring is halfway over. International Workers' Day dates back to the 1880s, when American laborers fought for the eight-hour workday. Celebrated in Hawaii, Lei Day honors leis, a type of garland or wreath, often worn as a necklace, that are made up of flowers, leaves, shells or feathers. Happy May Day! The first day of May is celebrated across the globe in many different ways. There's May Day, or Beltane, a Gaelic and Celtic festival that celebrates the transition from spring to summer; International Workers' Day, which commemorates the struggles and gains of laborers; and Lei Day, a day-long statewide celebration in Hawaii. Across the U.S., unions, worker groups and laborers are banding together to participating in the National Day of Action on May 1, a culmination of strikes and protests "on wages, on benefits, on dignity itself." More than 1,100 protests against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk are scheduled for Thursday, following several weekends of "Hands Off" demonstrations that looked to voice the harms of the administration's conservative tactics. Are you celebrating one of the various holidays or interested in learning more about one? Here's what to know about the significance of May 1. What is May Day, or Beltane? May Day, also known as Beltane, is a Gaelic and Celtic festival that honors the beginning of summer, as the spring season is halfway over. The Pagan festival celebrates fertility and growth, and it is tradition to decorate with flowers. Perhaps one of the most recognizable May Day rituals centers literally around the maypole, a tall, decorated poll in which participants hold on to attached ribbons and dance around in a circle. While one set of dancers move clockwise, another dances counterclockwise, resulting in a moving pattern of vibrant colors. The maypole became known in pop culture a few years ago with the A24 release of the movie "Midsommar," in which Florence Pugh's character Dani attends a cultish summer festival in Sweden. Another element of Beltane, which has grown more popular in recent years, is the lighting of Beltane fires. These ceremonial fires represent the power of the sun and provide an opportunity for cleansing and renewal, according to the Beltane Fire Society. While Beltane fires went "dormant" for many decades, groups like the Beltane Fire Society are working to continue the centuries' old tradition for new generations. Though the Pagan Beltane is often dated back to the Middle Ages, similar types of festivals go back even further. Held in Ancient Rome, The Festival of Flora − Floralia − was held between April 28 and May 3, celebrating Flora, the goddess of flowers, fertility and spring, according to the United Kingdom National Trust. What is International Workers' Day? While Beltane celebrate the natural wonders of the world, International Workers' Day focuses on the industrial achievements of laborers. On May 1, 1886, more than 340,000 American workers walked out of their jobs in support of the eight-hour work day, which had been proposed by the now American Federation of Labor two years prior, according to the Industrial Workers of the World. Two days later, activists organized a union action at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago. During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union. On May 4, 1886, a rally was held at Chicago's Haymarket Square. Though this protest was meant to be non-violent, violence quickly unfolded. Several civilians were killed at the hands of police and dozens more were injured, the according to the American Postal Workers Union. In 1889, labor advocates deemed May 1 International Workers' Day, also referred to as May Day. What is Lei Day? Also celebrated on the first day of May, Lei Day honors Hawaiian leis, a type of garland or wreath often worn as a necklace that is made up flowers, leaves, shells or feathers. Deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, leis represent love, respect and celebration. More: What does a lei mean in Hawaii, can anyone wear one? Lei Day got its start in 1927. At the time, American poet and journalist Don Blanding was reporting for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (today, Honolulu Star-Advertiser). As written in his memoir, "Hula Moons," Blanding said he had the idea of starting a Hawaiian holiday dedicated to leis. His editors liked the idea and the concept of Lei Day was presented to the public. Readers liked it too, in addition to the late Princess Helen Kawananākoa, the official Lei Day website states. Hawaii's first Lei Day was held in 1929 and for nearly 100 years, the day of celebration has been held throughout the state of Hawaii. How can you celebrate May Day in the US? Depending on what variation of May Day you are honoring, they are different ways to celebrate. Beltane Celebrating Beltane at home? Find different ways to honor the natural world around you, whether that be planting flowers or plants, making flower crowns with your family and friends, or making your own version of a maypole. Each year, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina hosts a May Day parade and festival for those interested in folk culture. Though this year's festival has already passed, take a look to see if any organizations near you are planning May Day activities. International Workers' Day Though International Workers' Day is not a federal holiday in the U.S., there still may be protests and/or other scheduled activities happening near you. Check with local labor groups to learn more. To learn more about National Day of Action and see if a demonstration is happening near you, visit Lei Day If you're not in Hawaii this Lei Day but still want to celebrate, you sure can. Lei Day is all about celebrating the history, creation and importance of leis. Local cultural centers and botanical gardens may be hosting Lei Day activities for all ages. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Beltane 2025
Around 7,000 people celebrated Beltane on Wednesday night after dark on Calton Hill. Everyone was immersing themselves in a 'vivid, elemental journey of fire, rhythm, and transformation'. The night was filled with drumming, hundreds of performers and plenty of fire – illuminating the hill with a fierce and joyful energy. An unseasonably hot day with the clearest of skies made Beltane night a night to remember! Jenny Bloom, Beltane Fire Society's Chair said: 'Another year, another magical Beltane. As we roll into summer and carry the May Queen's message of renewal with us, a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses who made it all happen. What a night! See you at Samhuinn!' 'The modern Beltane Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the spring and summer counterpart to Samhuinn Fire Festival, which is held at Holyrood Park on 31 October. The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons. The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive. Sébastien Lemaire Sébastien Lemaire Ross Cameron Ross Cameron Lanta (Anastasia Fraerman) Izzy Henry Like this: Like Related
