Prague’s Unofficial Lover’s Day
Here in the UK, we know the May the 1st as a day of anarchy and rioting. However, in Prague the sentiment couldn’t be more different. May Day is unofficial lover’s day with poetry and passion making an appearance on the famous Petrin Hill.
“Late evening, on the first of May, the twilit May—the time of love” begins the famous poem, May, by Karel Hynek Macha, a 19th century Czech poet. This poem goes on to describe a tragic love between two young people and is very much a Czech classic, with the first few lines known by most members of the Czech Republic.
After the release of his poem, Karel Hynek Macha was dubbed ‘the poet of love’ and it is believed that kissing in front of his statue on May 1st will make your love as strong as the stone that his statue is carved from. It is also polite to bring him flowers and place these either on his statue or grave. After delivering the flowers tradition dictates that couples make their way up to Petrin Hill in the centre of Prague and spend the afternoon making out.
Ancient tradition in Prague says that on May 1st a girl should be kissed under a cherry tree to keep her beautiful for the rest of the year. However, with cherry trees rare in the city and the publication of ‘May’ the unofficial lover’s day was born.
If you’re currently single or hate poetry and public displays of affection then you may want to give this event a miss. On your arrival, ask your Prague airport shuttle driver to take you across town to the Labor Day celebrations which celebrate communism and the Soviet Union. But understandably it seems that the Czechs now prefer kissing to communism.
How do I get there?
The main celebrations take place on Petrin Hill, which is located in the centre of Prague. The closest airport is Ruzyne, which is located 15 minutes away from the city centre. Once there, you can book a Prague airport shuttle direct from the airport to your hotel. Shuttle Direct offers airport taxis and shuttle buses from most airports in Europe from as little as £7!
When is it on?
Lover’s Day is an annual festival and takes place every year on May 1st.
Brilliant, tell me more?
For further information, visit www.pragueexperience.com
Štěpán Stich is a Prague airport shuttle driver for Shuttle Direct. They provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
