Walpurgis Night

Walpurgis Night, also known as Saint Walpurga's Night or Saint Walburga's Eve, is a festive celebration observed on the night of April 30th and continuing into May 1st. It honors Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess from Francia renowned for her efforts in combating diseases and witchcraft. Traditionally, on this night, Christians pray to Saint Walpurga for protection against witchcraft, and bonfires are lit across Europe to ward off evil spirits and witches.

The festival is named after Saint Walpurga, an English missionary who played a significant role in spreading Christianity in Germany. She is remembered for her miraculous deeds and the healing properties attributed to her relics and the oil associated with her remains. Saint Walpurga was canonized in 870, and since then, Walpurgis Night has been celebrated on April 30th. The manner of celebration varies from country to country, with notable traditions in Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and the Netherlands.

In the Czech Republic, people light bonfires on April 30th, and young people engage in customs that welcome the arrival of spring. In Finland, the celebration, known as Vappu, is a major event featuring carnival-style festivities, picnics, and student traditions. In Sweden, the event is called Valborg and signifies the onset of spring with bonfires, choral singing, and student activities. Interestingly, Walpurgis Night also has a unique connection in the United States, where the Church of Satan was founded on this day in 1966.