In many countries, 1st of May is International Labour Day. In Greece, Labour day is also celebrated and is called Protomagia (which literally means the first day of May).
On this day, people usually spend time with their families, and go to the countryside for picnics, kite-flying and wildflower picking which they then use to make a wreath. The day is celebrated as a national holiday in Greece and all shops are closed.
May is a month of joy for Greeks. The most known custom is the May wreath which is hung to the main door of the house on the 1st of May. It is kept there until the 24th of June when the wreaths are burnt in bonfires known as St. John’s fires.
The wreath is always made with colourful flowers, it is placed on the front door as per tradition, to welcome the beauty of nature and symbolises rebirth. In urban cities, you can buy beautiful knitted wreaths in flower shops. But Greek families tend to gather that day in the countryside to appreciate nature.
