May brings flocks of pretty lambs,
Skipping by their fleecy dams.
Lambs on Skopelos may prove a shock to some people - they are of middle eastern origin, not the fluffy white variety seen in many western countries. However, whatever its appearance, the sheep's offspring, the lamb, still stands for purity and innocence.
Sheep herds on the island belong to a distinctive group called the "Skopelos Sheep" breed. This is a prolific dairy sheep breed in Greece. All parts of the sheep are utilized, and it is a main source of wealth.
May Day has always been celebrated in Greece as the victory of Summer over Winter, and of life over death. Traditionally, Skopelos, with its strong agricultural roots, gives the May day festival an importance almost rivaling that of Easter Sunday itself and spit-roasted lamb is again on the menu in the countryside.
May First is also International Workers Day, a holiday first popularized by the Soviet Union. While it has lost many of its communist associations, it still is vigorously celebrated in former Soviet-bloc countries and other places in Europe. You can expect worker's groups and unions to be active today; major strikes are sometimes scheduled for May Day.
Since May Day corresponds with the peak of the flower season, flower shows and festivals are common. The ancient Minoans are believed to have celebrated one of their two "New Year" celebrations about this time - the other was in October.
One very common commemoration is the making of a May wreath which is hung on doorways, balconies, in chapels, and many other places. Keep an eye out for them.
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Public holidays in May:
Labour Day |
1 May |
MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA! MANY YEARS! XRONIA POLLA!
Name days in May:
(Where it is known, the meaning of the name is given in brackets)
May 2 Zoe (life)
May 5 Pineloni
May 8 Aimilia
May 10 Simon
May 11 Argurios (silvery), Olympia
May 14 Isidoros, Paskalios (Easter)
May 18 Julia
May 20 Ludia
May 21 Konstantinos
May 23 Pothitos
May 28 Dafni