
"May 1st is an ancient Northern hemisphere festival and used to be regarded as the first day of summer. It is today, a traditional spring holiday in many cultures where village maidens are crowned 'The Queen of the May', and village dances around the Maypole still take place in memory of past country tradition. In more recent years, May Day has become a day of large rallies and protest marches across Europe. I think I prefer its older associations with music and a beauty pageant as opposed to its more modern political offshoots." William Forde: May 1st, 2013.