Majblomma

The Majblomma ( May flower ) is a small paper flower that is sold each year in April and May in Sweden and other countries in order to draw attention to child poverty. She changes the color each year and is not to be confused with the red carnation ( Main Elke ). Sale and distribution of the proceeds and donations will be organized in Sweden since 1907 by an association established for this purpose ( Majblommans Riksförbund ), which has its headquarters in Gothenburg.

The idea of ​​the Mayflower spread over many countries of Sweden, where they partially leads a niche or was forgotten. The first sales were made in 1908 in Finland, 1909 in Denmark and Norway, 1910 in Belgium and the Netherlands, in 1911 in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Russia and Switzerland, in 1912 in England and Estonia, 1913 in Algeria, 1916 in Cuba, 1922 in the U.S. and 1932 in India.

History

The initiative for the sale of the Mayflower came from the Swedish Beda Hallberg, who had previously helped volunteer poorer people. With the paper flower should also persons who do not belong to the upper class, are enthusiastic about the charity work. Despite initial skepticism and resistance Hallsbergs went on concept. The sale of the first 100,000 paper flowers for 10 Öre the piece in the Gothenburg was a success; the proceeds went towards tuberculosis. The local trade and seafaring newspaper wrote in May 1907, The Blue Flower has won a victory. The whole city it honors. Wherever one comes also, you can see them on the collar, caps, scarves and shawls. Businessmen, employees, workers, the elderly and children, the conductor on the tram, police, harbor carters and coachmen - all wearing the flower and it is in the air, that they are all happy to be there. It is the ideal of an idea: simple, inspiring and uplifting.

Among the students of the Chalmers University of Technology, the tradition every year to buy a Maiblume and to attach the tassel of the student's cap was born. On the number of how long the person is recognizable, already studied at the university.

The association

Riksförbund Under the leadership of Majblommans sell mostly school children and scout for about two weeks, the paper flowers of the year. For this purpose there is in Sweden about 700 local groups. Almost everywhere belong to these local clubs representatives of local schools, government social and health services as well as representatives of recreational facilities. Here is discussed, which require families with children in addition to the state social support nor support from the proceeds of the Mayflower. About ten percent of the proceeds are paid to schools and recreational facilities that have participated in the sale of paper flowers. In recent years the price of a Mayflower was 10 crowns, which in 2009 and 2010 approximately SEK 50 million were redeemed.

The sale of paper flowers is also intended as an educational tool to raise empathy for needy children in the area at the participating school children. To this end, the club gives out free study materials to schools and other interested parties.

Production

For the production of paper flowers, there was until 1997 in Sweden two machines. When they were no longer usable, the club decided to move the production to China. With the help of the Swedish Export Council ( Sveriges Exportråd ) was a factory sought which the demands for quality and good working conditions. Operation Good Luck in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou to meet expectations. The production costs for a paper flower be the equivalent of 16 Öre here. Thus, the workers earn about 35 percent above the minimum wage. The factory will be attended by representatives of the Association each year at fixed times and unannounced.