Walpurgis Night In Real Life

This article is a compilation of historical, mythological, and literary information concerning "Walpurgisnacht" (ワルプルギスの夜, Warupurugisu no Yoru, Night of Walpurgis), a term mentioned by Homura in Episode 6. Any speculah regarding this subject should be archived here as well.

Usage of the Term in Canon

During the arcade scene in Episode 6, Homura mentions something by the name of "Walpurgisnacht" (ワルプルギスの夜, Warupurugisu no Yoru, Night of Walpurgis), a northern European Spring Festival also called "The Night of the Witches." Her statement:

  「２週間後、この街に『ワルプルギスの夜』が来る。『そいつ』さえ倒せたら、私はこの街を出てゆく。」
  "In two weeks, 'Walpurgisnacht' is coming to this town. Once I defeat 'it,' I'll leave." 

For clarification, 「そいつ」 -- rendered here in English as 'it' -- is a pronoun that usually refers to a person, and Kyouko's response to Homura made it clear that what was being referred to could be 'defeated.' At present time -- prior to the broadcast of Episode 9 -- it remains unclear if the pronoun used specifically refers to Walpurgisnacht, or whether the term Walpurgisnacht refers to an event or a being (a witch?).

Japanese fans on 2ch have expressed similar confusion in regards to Homura's phrasing. The entry on Walpurgisnacht on the Japanese wiki states the following:

• ワルプルギスの夜
• 第６話にてほむらが２週間後に来ると告げた物。
• 現時点では現象なのか敵の名前なのかも不明。
• 語感からすると現象だが「そいつ」「倒す」「勝つ」などと言われてたことより敵の名前なのかもしれない。ワルプルギスの夜に現れる敵を仮定して言っていたのかもしれないが。
• すでに命名がされており、｢二人でなら倒せるかもしれない｣などという何らかの前提情報が存在するため、今回が初めてではなく過去に例がある現象であると思われる。
• 実際にはヨーロッパで広く知られてる魔女と死者のお祭り。日本でいうお盆のような物。

Documents regarding Walpurgisnacht on display in Homura's apartment contain imagery that strongly resembles the Witch from Episode 1.

Literary & Historical Background

In Eastern Europe, Walpurgis Night is a night when witches are said to go outside and be particularly troublesome. It is the night from April 30th to May 1st.