The holiday officially appeared in the Riga Chronicles in 1477. It was considered the Spring and Fertility Festival. The festival was celebrated in Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Scandinavia, England. In Riga, the holiday appeared in the 15th century thanks to the guild of the House of the Blackheads when in the presence of the City Council the best warrior – the May Count and his chosen one – the May Countess were chosen at the tournament. The pair symbolized spring, love and valor. The winner was selected for a year until the next tournament. In honor of the holiday, large-scale celebrations were held with dances and treats. The festival brings together the most diverse types of cultures and areas of creativity. Here you can find craftsmen and needlewomen, seamstresses and artists, winemakers and beekeepers, antique manuscripts and medieval weapons dealers, wood and culinary craftsmen, blacksmiths and potters – the medieval May Count fair is open throughout the festival.
What will be in the program:
- fair and workshops
- medieval dances and songs
- attractions for children and adults
- jousting tournaments, demonstration fights, games and relay races
- choice of May Count and May Countess
- medieval costume contest
- concert program on stage all day
- clowns and pantomime, stilts and theater
- fire festival “May Fire Fest”
Information about the festival:
When – 05/23/2020, 10am – 10pm
Venue – Old Riga, Town Hall Square
The route of the parade of participants:
Town Hall Square – Kalku Street – Laima`s Clock – Bastion Hill – Powder Tower – Swedish Gate – Dome Square – Town Hall Square
Tournament age
– May Count tournament – from 18 years old
– Sir Roland Cup tournament – 7-17 years old
To participate in tournaments registration is required
FREE ADMISSION
Festival page in Facebook
Official page: http://www.maijagrafs.lv/
Photos taken from the official page of the festival