Why do we celebrate Walpurgis? – A celebration with fire, spring and ancient roots

The Walpurgis Night celebration has its roots in both pagan tradition and Christian saint worship. The name "Walpurgis" comes from the medieval saint Walpurga (in Latin Valpurgia, hence the Italian word), an English abbess who was a missionary in Germany during the 8th century. She was canonized on May 1, 870, and her memorial day came to be celebrated the night before – that is, April 30.

Saint Walpurga was said to protect against diseases, witchcraft, and evil spirits, and that is why fires were lit in her honor – as a protection against the dark and dangerous. Eventually, this coincided with older spring festivals and fire celebrations in pre-Christian Scandinavia.