The Complicated History and Customs of Maypoles in Linz, Austria

In 2020 there was none due to Corona, in 2021 he came from Neumarkt im Mühlkreis, was flaked and then not triggered by the mayor. This year the Fichterl comes from Altenberg. It will be interesting to see whether another amusing act will be added to the relatively complicated Maypole history of Linz. For all potential thieves, we have the rules on proper stealing.

When stealing, the following generally applies: “The maypole has to be set up without technical help, i.e. by hand. The maypole may be stolen on the first and last three days. The maypole must not be cut down, it must be removed along its entire length.” But more on that later.

Maypoles have been documented since the 13th century: They were associated with driving away evil spirits, praise and reprimand for the girls in the village and a mark of honor for deserving regional personalities. But actually the maypole was once a witch tree. The maypole was a strong symbol for the witch huntsmen of the 17th century, who suspected the activities of evil spirits especially on Walpurgis Night from April 30th to May 1st. The trunk of the tree had to be carefully peeled off so that the “witches could not get stuck under the bark”. This was also the main reason why the setting of the maypole was often forbidden by the Enlighteners of the 18th century. In Linz, too, erecting the maypole had been forbidden since 1733.

Only around the 1848 revolution were maypoles put up again in Austria, they were called “freedom trees”. They became a symbol of democratic forces after feudal manorial rule was gradually overcome. In the second half of the 19th century, the maypole cult increasingly became a symbol of German nationalism and Nordic paganism. It wasn’t a long leap before the National Socialists appropriated this custom and its history.

So it came about that in 1938 a decorated maypole was erected on the main square in Linz. That was also the reason why even long after the war the maypole tradition was seen as antiquated, “right-wing” ideas. It was not until 1976 that this thinking was overcome and the main square was once again decorated with a maypole.

The Upper Austrian rural youth has listed the respective rules. Incidentally, in Linz, flaming the maypole in accordance with the rules is (almost) impossible, because a few years ago a kind of protective mechanism was built around the maypole. In principle, the following regulations apply to tree flakes:

1. The principle of trust applies: the group that puts up a maypole can assume that maypole thieves will comply with local customs. These local rules are passed down orally and under www.ooelandjugend.at (Focuses, culture and customs, maypole map) for the individual communities or towns can be called up.

2. Be careful when stealing: Avoid damaging plaques, wreaths or other accessories. Should this be the case, a replacement must be paid.

Only the maypole and no accessories may be stolen. It is also forbidden to destroy the tree, for example by sawing up the trunk to make it easier to transport. This does not fall under custom and can lead to a complaint of property damage.

3. No police: Under no circumstances will the police be involved, maypole theft is a custom and is subject to the respective customary rules. However, if acts of violence or significant damage to property occur, the police should be called in, because then it is no longer a matter of custom.

4. Raising the maypole in the event of a successful theft: According to tradition, the tree is raised with drinks and/or a snack for the successful thieves, with the negotiating skills of both parties ultimately deciding. Here, too, the respective local custom applies.

5. Resolve differences of opinion amicably: If there are differences of opinion, they are to be settled according to the possibilities surrounding the maypole tradition: for example in a fun show trial, a joint reconciliation meal or mutual visits by delegations from the respective communities. There are no limits to the imagination and good will, whereby customs and sociability should always be in the foreground.

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