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May 1st in Germany is a day to celebrate the advent of spring – and to protest for workers' rights.
In Berlin trade unions and far-left protesters traditionally take to the streets to mark International Workers' Day. This has regularly led to severe rioting in the districts of Neukölln and Kreuzberg and police are preparing for this year's demonstrations to also be attended by protesters against Israel's war in Gaza.
The night before May 1st is also known as Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night), named after the 8th-century abbess who battled witchcraft, and is celebrated with dance, witch costumes and bonfires.
And the Tanz in den Mai (dance into May) tradition is widespread across the country. Especially in the Catholic regions in the west and south of the country, iconic maypoles are set up in a central square, decorated with garlands or ribbons, for people to dance around.
