1er mai est en fait 2 fêtes en France: fête du travail et fête du muguet. Tout le monde connait la fête du travail parce que beaucoup des paies célèbrent le fête du travail, mais pas nécessairement 1er mai. Mais que-ce que c’est le fête du muguet ? Je n’ai pas su jusqu'à ce matin quand j’ai reçu un SMS de Paris Choral Society avec une belle photo d'un bouquet de muguet. Je me suis demandée : pourquoi les muguets ? Donc j’ai cherché sur Google. Voici est ce que j’ai appris.
The first of May in France is actually 2 holidays in one : Labor Day and Lily of the Valley Day (for lack of a better translation). Everyone knows Labor Day because many countries celebrate a Labor Day, just not necessarily on May 1st. For example, in the US, we celebrate on the first Monday in September. But what is this “Fête du Muguet?” I certainly didn’t know until this morning when I received, in a text from Paris Choral Society, a picture of a lovely bouquet of lilies of the valley. I love this delicate flower and it’s intoxicating scent. But I had no idea why PCS was sending this picture to all choristers on the 1st of May. So of course, I Googled it and this is what I learned.
Bouquets of lily of the valley for sale on a street corner
At Bastille demonstration....no idea what their cause is....
En 1er mai 1561, on a donné au roi de France, Charles IX, un muguet, pour la chance. Il lui a vraiment plu, donc il a décidé de donner celui chaque année à tous les femmes de la cour. Aujourd’hui, on peut acheter les muguets dans la rue. C’est le seul jour de l’année qu’on peut vendre quelques choses dans la rue sans permis. On donne le muguet à la famille et aux amis pour la chance.
On the first of May in 1561, the King of France, Charles IX, was given lilies of the valley for good luck. He was so pleased, he decided that every year he would bestow these little flowers on every lady in the royal court. Hence, the fête du muguet was born! Today small bouquets are sold on street corners and are given to family and friends as a symbol of good luck. Interestingly, it is the only day of the year that anyone can set up a table on the street and sell something without a permit. I saw many such tables today as I walked over to Place de la Bastille for the annual May Day demonstrations.
Muguet and Patrick Roger chocolate!
La Fête du Travail en France n’est pas célébré comme les États-Unis. En France, c’est une journée d’action pour les syndicats et les travailleurs. Comme vous devez le savoir, les travailleurs françaises, et les cheminots en particulière, ne sont pas contents avec les changes du droit du travail que Président Macron a proposé. Depuis septembre dernier, il y avait beaucoup des manifestations contra ces changes et, en ce moment, les cheminots sont en grève. Donc on pense qu’il aurait les manifestations massives le 1 mai. Mais non. Vraiment, il y avait beaucoup de gens au manifestation à la Bastille. Mais il y avait plus que les travailleurs qui sont malheureux avec les changes de Macron. Tout le monde avec une cause était là. Et beaucoup d’autres, les familles, les jeunes avec leurs amis et quelques, comme moi, qui a juste voulu l'éprouver. C’était comme un fête grand et spectaculaire pour tout Paris !
Labor Day in France is not celebrated as it is in the U.S. In France, it’s a day of action for workers and their unions. As you probably know, French workers and, in particular, French railroad workers, are not happy with changes to the labor laws proposed by President Macron. Since last September there have been numerous demonstrations against the changes and right now, the railroad workers are on strike. Hence you would think that the demonstrations on May 1, Labor Day, would be massive. But no. Although the unions have tried to rally all French workers to their cause….they have not succeeded. To be sure, there were masses of people at the Bastille demonstration today, but not all were there to support the transit workers. Anyone with a cause was there. Any many others….families, young people with their friends and some, like me, who were just there to see what it was all about. Indeed, it was a grand and spectacular party for all of Paris!
Place de la Bastille today....
"Liberty, equality, fraternity....A possible world....It's not just a motto!"
Lots of good food too!
Police standing by but keeping their distance....don't think they were needed today
Street cleaners standing by.....THEY were definitely needed!
Muguet in the lapel of a demonstrator.....celebrating both May Days!
