Jack in the Green, 2023
In the town of Hastings, in the south-east of England, the Jack in the Green Festival takes place every year during the May Day weekend. It offers a variety of concerts and folk dances. One of these, the Morris, is a vigorous dance traditionally performed by men wearing costumes and carrying bells.
This ancient tradition has existed for over 300 years and was revived by the Mad Jack’s Morris dance group in 1983. The custom of “Jack-in-the-Green” is believed to have originated in the 17th century, initiated by the milkmen and chimney sweeps of London. As part of the May Day processions, milkmaids carried milk buckets decorated with flowers and silverware. Over time, the buckets were replaced by decorated headpieces. To keep up with the spirit, chimney sweeps began to create garlands, larger and larger, until the frames of greenery and flowers covered an entire man, a Jack-in-the-Green. The tradition faded throughout the country in the early 20th century, but with the Folk Revival of the 1970s, many customs were reintroduced : this year took place the festival’s 40th edition.
The heart of this event is “Jack in the Green,” a man completely covered in foliage wearing a large floral crown. He is “released” into the streets and leads the procession through the city. At the end of the day, he is stripped of his leaves to release the spirit of summer. A variety of characters accompany Jack through the streets of the city including giants and Morris bands, which traditionally rise early on May 1st to dance at dawn in front of Hastings Castle.
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