Dreams for Beltane

local writers celebrate the First of May

Thursday 1 May, Zoom, 7.00pm
Tickets: £3/£2*
(Writers selected to read admitted free)

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The First of May resounds with cultural and social associations. It was celebrated by the ancient Romans as Floralia, a festival of Flora their goddess of flowers, and in Graeco-Syrian culture as Maiouma, a hedonistic celeration of Dionysus and Aphrodite. Celtic and Pagan tradition have long celebrated Beltane – or Saint Walpurgis Day - which traditionally marks the start of summer and is associated with feasting, the lighting of symbolic bonfires (where people often leap over the flames), and rituals to protect cattle, people and crops, and encourage growth.

 

But the First of May  also marks a very different celebration – International Workers’ Day, a national public holiday in many countries. The date was chosen by the American Federation of Labor to commemorate a general strike that had begun on 1 May 1886. It became a yearly event for trade unions of all countries to demonstrate for the legal establishment of the eight-hour day, for the demands of the working classes, and for universal peace. 

The date has marked many significant historic events: the abolition of the slave trade in Europe, the Act of Union of England and Scotland, the launch of the Penny Black stamp, the announcement of the death of Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro declaring Cuba a socialist nation, the 1997 Labour victory in the UK general election...​

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Our ever-talented local writers have taken inspiration from these events and more - May Day customs in Edinburgh, the longest industrial strike in Australia, the tradition of the May Day Queen - to produce a wealth and diversity of pieces that will a pleasure to share with you. 

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The event will include writing by Joanna Adam, Chris Allen, Jerard Bretts, Jen Charlton, Sarah Davies, Stephen Goodlad, Daryl Johns, Ralph Keats, Steph Lay, Helena Ray, Isobel Richard, Sarah Toll, and Sue Turbett. After the event, ane-book pamphlet of their writing will be available in our online store. 

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