Overview

• The centuries-old Bavarian Maibaumaufstellen tradition saw widespread community celebrations on May 1, with thousands gathering to raise and honor the decorated May trees.
• In Saelhuysen, NRW, a Maibaum collapsed around noon, injuring at least five people, including one seriously; police are investigating the cause of the accident.
• In Hergensweiler, a dead badger was found hung on a freshly erected Maibaum on the morning of May 1, shocking residents and prompting an investigation into wildlife crime and animal protection law violations.
• Hergensweiler Mayor Wolfgang Strohmaier condemned the incident as a 'disgusting prank' and plans to recover fire brigade removal costs from the perpetrators, who remain unidentified.
• Despite these disruptions, many Bavarian towns successfully carried out their Maibaum celebrations, with both traditional manual lifting and crane-assisted methods drawing strong local participation and festive atmospheres.