May 1 performance. During the May holidays, hundreds of public events will be held in the capital. Krasnaya Presnya Park
For many, May 1 is one of the most beloved holidays. Despite the fact that it falls in the last month of spring, it is considered a symbol of the beginning of warmth and sunlight. And for Russians, it also means the beginning of the May holidays - a series of days free from the hustle and bustle of work and dedicated exclusively to relaxing with family and friends.
Despite such love for this date, few people know how the story of May 1 began. While the older generation still remembers the scale of the celebration during the Soviet Union, for the younger generation this day often means only an extra day off. But at the same time, May Day has a rich history that will be interesting for everyone to get acquainted with.
Origins of the holiday
This date originates in the American city of Chicago, where on May 1, 1886 a large-scale workers’ protest took place. Tired of unbearable conditions, people demanded that the number of working hours per day be limited to 8. But the rally not only failed to achieve its goal, but also led to numerous casualties among the protesters.
The American authorities, who did not intend to reduce the 15-hour working day, ordered the police to take tough measures against the protesters. As a result, a massive fire was opened, which claimed hundreds of lives. Despite this, workers continued to hold protests on May 1st every year, demanding that their harsh working conditions be taken into account. Such rallies often ended in real fights with the police. It was in memory of the first Chicago protest that the date began to be celebrated, first of all, as Labor Day.
Such mass protests did not go unnoticed. The Congress of the Second International, which was held in Paris in 1889, decided to call May 1 World Workers' Day. This was done in honor of the workers of Chicago, who were the first to decide to resist the existing system.
In addition, at the Congress it was decided that people of all states have the right to go to rallies annually on May 1 and put forward their demands of a social nature. Thus, Labor Day was officially recognized at the state level.
The emergence of the holiday in Russia
The history of the May 1 holiday in Russia begins in 1890, when world communists celebrated this date for the first time. This happened in Warsaw. Inspired by the example of their American colleagues and the actions of the Poles, Russian workers gradually came to the idea of starting protests. The first mass demonstrations of the proletariat were celebrated in 1897, when the holiday acquired political overtones.
But, despite the fact that Labor Day was officially recognized by the authorities, mass celebrations remained informal for a long time. It was only in 1901 that the first slogans openly demanding a change of power were seen. By 1912, the number of representatives of the proletariat participating in the May demonstrations reached 400 thousand. And already in 1917, entire millions of people walked the streets, demanding the overthrow of the tsarist government. It was this year that the Russian holiday began to take on an official character, and demonstrations and parades began to be held openly.
The coming of the Bolsheviks to power became an important stage in the celebration of May 1, and the history of the holiday took on a different color. The status of this day has also changed. Now the date was given the title of “the largest holiday in the Soviet Union,” which had to be celebrated by all residents of the country.
In every locality, entire working groups walked along the streets, carrying posters in their hands that reflected the existing ideology. And the reward for the most distinguished was the opportunity to participate in the main parade of the country, which took place on Red Square in the capital.
Despite the fact that May Day initially had a political character, which is why it was celebrated quite strictly, over time it turned into a favorite folk holiday. Slogans calling for action against the capitalist system were replaced by banners with solemn congratulations written on them.
People began to celebrate this date with family or friends, enjoying the two-day weekend. Traditionally, the first day was dedicated to parades, at which political speeches were replaced by congratulations, and large-scale processions were held, covered by television. But the second day could be spent at a fun May Day with loved ones and relax before working days.
This is how May 1, or the Spring and Labor Festival, gradually turned from an annual political rally into a favorite national celebration. Red flags and balloons are integral attributes of this date. The older generation recalls with pleasure the unique atmosphere that reigned throughout the country at that time. The first real warmth, the feeling of the magic of spring and the opportunity to spend two extra weekends with loved ones - this is what May Day symbolized for the working class of the Soviet Union.
May 1 in modern Russia
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this date continues to be celebrated. But the previous excitement around the holiday is no longer there, and the main joy from it is the additional days off. The last parade dedicated to May 1 was held in 1990.
Now this day is traditionally celebrated with a picnic, and for many residents of the country this is an additional opportunity to work in the garden.
Despite the fact that the holiday no longer pleases people on such a scale, its significance is not forgotten. The famous slogan “Peace! Work! May!" still continues to sound in congratulations. The warm holiday, which united the entire working class, will remain among the most beloved.
May 1st in various countries
This day is celebrated not only in the USA and Russia. The number of countries that joined the celebration of this significant date is 142. Most of them celebrate it on May 1, but there are states where celebrations are held on the first Monday of the month.
This holiday is especially loved in:
- Spain;
- Germany;
- Sweden;
- Greece;
- France;
- Italy;
- Holland.
Each country has its own traditions for celebrating May Day. For example, on this day young Spaniards present their spouses with the first spring flowers, which bloom by this time.
And in Germany there are large-scale celebrations, entire fairs and funny dances. In addition, there is a wonderful tradition here - young people in love plant a tree in front of the window of their chosen one.
On the night of April 30 to May 1, giant fires are lit in Swedish cities, in which garbage that has accumulated throughout the year is burned. After this, it’s time to dance and have fun. And the next morning various rallies begin in support of the working class.
In Greece, this day is a holiday symbolizing the change of seasons. Young girls pick the first flowers, weave them into wreaths and decorate their homes.
In France, May Day is associated with lilies of the valley. These are the flowers that represent happiness that the French give when congratulating each other.
On this day, Italians return to the pagan origins of the holiday. Flower festivals are held in honor of the goddesses Maya and Flora.
In Holland, May Day is the time for the tulip festival. Many people from all over the world come here specifically to see this colorful spectacle.
Thus, May 1 is a wonderful holiday that unites different peoples. It doesn’t matter what version of the celebration is held in the country. In any case, this is a bright spring holiday that brings a lot of positive emotions.
The celebration of May 1 in Russian regions is cheerful and massive. In one corner of the country they waltz to pre-war songs and take part in historical reconstructions, in another they hold demonstrations in retro style and hold a Monstration with its original slogans.
On May 1, demonstrations, street processions and rallies traditionally began in the central part of Moscow, dedicated to the Spring and Labor Day and organized by a number of political parties and social movements. “In total, based on the applications that were submitted, events with a total number of more than 90 thousand people participating in them were agreed upon. But how many people will actually come, we’ll see after all the actions take place,” said the head of the capital’s regional security department, Alexey Mayorov. About eight thousand police officers, internal troops and military personnel will ensure security during festive events in the Russian capital.
St. Petersburg will demonstrate the entire spectrum of political parties and movements of the city. In particular, United Russia will march in a column along Nevsky Prospekt to Palace Square together with the Federation of Trade Unions of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. "A Just Russia" will form a column on Ligovsky Prospect and will also march along Nevsky. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation, in turn, will take part in the procession in a separate column. The St. Petersburg branch of the LDPR will hold a rally on the square near the Baltic House theater.
In Bryansk, on Partizan Square, on Spring and Labor Day, the traditional “Memory Watch” opened, participants from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus will search for unburied remains of Soviet soldiers on the battlefields.
In Voronezh, in addition to the May Day procession, the military-historical festival "Victory" began, timed to coincide with the 68th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany and the 70th anniversary of the defeat of fascist troops near Voronezh. On May 1, city residents will plunge into pre-war times. Couples in civilian and military clothing twirled on the dance floor to the sound of a waltz coming from a gramophone, while police officers in 1940s uniforms were on duty in the central park.
In addition to pre-war and wartime, the regions will also remember the Soviet Union of a later period, RIA Novosti reports. For example, in Perm, anyone can buy a glass of tomato juice for ten kopecks. Students of the Perm State National Research University from the creative laboratory of the PTAKh organized the “May Day column of the Red Banner BytElTech plant named after Marx.” A demonstration with banners, balloons, flowers and songs is promised, as well as a speech by a member of the Supreme Presidium of the 79th convocation. Activities are also expected to combat parasitism and drunkenness and promote a healthy lifestyle.
A parade of labor collectives of defense enterprises of Udmurtia is taking place in Izhevsk. At the parade they showed the Tsar Cannon, models of missiles and other weapons produced in the republic. In addition, there will be a parade of vintage cars and vintage motorcycles IZH.
An international rally of bikers began in the Tseysky Gorge in North Ossetia from May 1 to 3, which will be attended by over 200 motorcyclists. Among the guests are more than 120 bikers from Poland, Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Lithuania and Russian cities. The event will begin with the laying of flowers at the Memorial of Glory and a column passing through the central streets of Vladikavkaz. The rally will end with a visit to the school and memorial in memory of those killed in the 2004 terrorist attack in Beslan.
Novosibirsk celebrates May 1 with Monstration - this event is taking place here for the tenth time. The demonstration, which was first organized in 2004, is called a “celebration of spring and absurdity,” and for good reason: young people march through the streets with unusual and often ridiculous posters, but usually do not put forward any political demands.
A barbecue festival is taking place in Belgorod. Tents have been set up in the Central Park of Culture and Recreation, in which chefs prepare meat according to their recipes, and a tasting will be organized for the townspeople. A special jury will determine the best of the prepared dishes. In addition, fountains will be turned on in the city on May 1, including a floating light and musical fountain on the Vezelka River.
The track and field relay race among schoolchildren has started on the main square of Tula, and competitions in roller ski sprint, street basketball, and a bicycle race are also taking place here. In the city's Central Park, sports grounds "A healthy body - a healthy mind" and "Our generation" began operating. For adults, a “Vegetable Garden” has been prepared, dedicated to the opening of the dacha season. Tula residents will be offered to build a dacha, design a dacha plot, dig a well and even saw a log at speed.
In Penza, on May 1, a field kitchen opened on Lenin Square, distributing buckwheat porridge with stewed meat. The event will continue with a cultural program prepared by creative groups of the region, and then the sports festival “Basketball May” will take place. Perm political and human rights activists will hold the “Perm Ethics May Day”. This is a cultural and entertainment event, and therefore it is prohibited to bring posters, banners or any propaganda materials to it. In addition, the May Day is prohibited.
May Day is traditionally considered the opening of the “summer season”. In particular, on May 1, one of the largest zoos in Russia, Rostov Zoo, opened its doors to visitors, and the opening of the summer holiday season will take place in Sochi.
On May 1, 2018, Moscow will host numerous celebrations, performances, festivals and other events that are very interesting to attend with friends and the whole family.
During the May holidays in 2018, movement and parking on certain streets in Moscow will be blocked or limited. In addition, a ban has been introduced on the sale of alcohol in places of numerous celebrations. Certain public transport routes will be changed, and metro stations near the festivities will operate in a special mode.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: how to relax during the May holidays 2018
May 1 marks a state holiday - Labor Day or Spring and Labor Day. This is a non-working holiday.
In 2018, it falls on the first day of the week. Together with the pre-holiday days, there will be 4 days off - April 29, April 30, May 1 and 2.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: where to go on May 1 in Moscow
According to traditions, May Day rallies and demonstrations will be held on May 1 on Red Square. Representatives of absolutely all trade unions in Moscow, workers from the Moscow region, students, veterans, and activists will take part in the procession.
At the end of the procession there will be a meeting and speeches by popular socio-political figures.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: cultural program on May 1
May 1 is the opening day of the spring-summer season in all parks of the capital, each of which has prepared interesting events for its visitors: festivities, show programs, performances and much more.
There will be a Flower Ball in the 50th Anniversary of October Park on May 1. Guests will see floral decorations and take part in master classes on making flowers from different materials. Cheerful animators dressed as flower fairies will put the guests in a festive mood, and there will be a concert in the evening.
The Hermitage Garden will host a spring Flower Day, the website has learned. Here you can buy cut flowers, flower and hyacinth bulbs, spring primroses and potted plants. In addition, visitors can expect a spring design market and a classical music performance.
In Fili Park, May 1 will be held in the retro genre - with picturesque scenery and melodies of the 1930s–1960s. Guests will attend a concert of musical and dance ensembles, remember the yard fun of the 20th century, and during master classes they will plunge into the creative atmosphere of the Skillful Hands clubs.
There will be a sports celebration at Krasnogvardeisky Ponds. The program includes a demonstration of systematic summer classes, sports master classes from experienced running, dancing and yoga instructors.
In Izmailovsky Park there will be sports and music competitions and intellectual quizzes, master classes, as well as theatrical performances and performances.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: “Play May” arts festival
The festival will take place in the Vorontsov Garden on May 1. There will be many thematic art blocks for visitors: scenic, musical, dance and visual.
Young directors will show 3 new performances for adults and children. Artists from major Moscow theaters and students from stage institutes will take part in them.
The best songs from their repertoire will be sung by young vocalists, winners and favorites of professional competitions. And on the dance floor there will be cover teams dancing in the K-pop genre.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: Moscow Spring festival
During the “Moscow Spring”, the capital will be transformed into a big stage: performances will take place not only at the usual venues of the “Moscow Seasons” festivals, but also on the roofs and balconies of buildings.
The competition connects artists working in the a capella genre (singing without instrumental accompaniment). It is open to musicians who have at least a year of vocal experience and who have reached the age of 18 at the start of the competition.
Free events in Moscow on May 1, 2018: youth festival in Victory Park
The first of May in Victory Park will be dedicated to youth culture: extreme sports, cheerleading and performances by popular artists.
The program will be opened by world professional boxing winner Kostyantin Tszyu. The athlete will talk about his principles of life: training, nutrition and regime; will present a number of boxing techniques for volunteers. During the day, visitors will have a photo and autograph session with Konstantin Tszyu.
Nadezhda Trapeznikova
Scenario of a spring holiday for children of the preparatory group
"Labour Day"
Target:
1. Activate the cognitive activity of children;
2. Introduce the history of some public holidays.
3. Develop respect for work and working people.
Tasks:
1. Development of imagination, intelligence, ingenuity, curiosity, observation, thinking.
2. Instilling in children a sense of humor, the desire to win, and being active among their peers.
3. Formation of bright positive emotions.
Equipment:
Decoration of the stand;
Riddles on a given topic, competitions, necessary equipment;
Interesting jokes.
Form of conduct: entertainment.
I. Preparation of the event
2. Previous work of the team. Drawings on a given topic.
II. Event plan Events:
1. Introduction. Formation of teams.
2. Riddles, competitions, games.
3. Final part. Summing up.
To the song "Hello May holiday" (music by Gerchik, lyrics by Plyatskovsky) children enter the hall.
May 1, like March 8, many years ago was the day of the struggle of working people for their rights. In those days, the life of workers who worked in factories and factories was difficult. They worked from early morning until late evening and received so little money for their hard work that sometimes they did not even have enough for food. May 1 workers (both women and men) They organized processions and demonstrations. They carried flags and posters. The demands of the working people were written on the posters.
Nowadays, on May 1st we celebrate the Spring and Labor Festival. This is a holiday of everyone who works, a holiday of different people professions: workers, scientists, doctors, teachers.
It is customary to celebrate the Spring and Labor Festival with colorful processions and demonstrations. People take balloons, flags, and flowers with them. And to make it noisy and fun - whistles and rattles. On May 1, music sounds everywhere and orchestras play. Everyone sings and dances. Written on bright posters words: "WORLD", "MAY", "WORK". One of these words was hidden in a small poem. Find this word.
Warm, clear spring day
Meet me before everyone else, my friend
Amazing, wonderful,
Good May Day!
Hello, hello, May Day!
Raise the flags higher.
Today you and I will also celebrate May Day, but in our own way. You know that every year in our city there is not only a festive procession, but also a running track and field relay race, in which schoolchildren, students of educational institutions and workers of enterprises of our city participate. And today we will solve riddles on the theme of spring and labor, play interesting competitions and games.
Yes, I forgot to say, today in the area of our kindergarten I saw a postman who was addressing all the children passing by with some question. Who is the postman? At the same time, the postman tried to hand them parcels and letters. Not a single child took the parcel from the postman. It's a little strange, isn't it? But I was in a hurry to get to work and did not approach the postman to find out what kind of parcels they were and what was inside. Although curiosity still haunts me. Maybe… (There's a knock on the door). Who could it be? Today we did not invite anyone to our place.
The door opens, a postman enters the hall, he has a bag of newspapers on his shoulder, a parcel and letters in his hands.
Yes, this is the same postman I saw this morning! Hello, dear postman.
Pechkin:
Oh, I'm late!
Hello adults,
Hello children.
I'm the most unfortunate
Postman in the world!
I delivered the mail
Almost all recipients.
And here is this parcel,
Maybe for your guys?
The postman gives the parcel to the teacher (there is neither addressee nor sender, it is written only to whom
The teacher reads "Give to the Misfits"
Postman Pechkin, don’t rush, sit down, relax,
Look at the holiday, and you decide for yourself who to give the parcel to, among our children.
Stage I. Puzzles
The beauty walks
Touches the ground lightly
Goes to the field, to the river,
Both the snowball and the flower.
(spring)
At the snow-covered hummocks,
Under the white snow cap
We found a little flower
Half frozen, barely alive.
(snowdrop)
It's wooden,
And the head is iron.
(hammer)
The garden is dressed in white,
The bees are the first to fly.
Thunder rumbles. Guess,
What month is this?
(answer : May)
Look at this, guys.
Cotton wool hung in the sky -
They are sailing to us from afar
In the blue sky. (clouds)
She got down to business
She squealed and sang.
I ate, ate oak, oak,
Broke a tooth, tooth.
(saw)
High above the clouds
"Field" blue above us.
They don't grow grain in the field.
What's it called? (sky)
Along the paths without difficulty
Melt water rushes.
Snow from the sun's rays turns into. (Creek)
The snow is melting, the meadow has come to life.
The day is coming. When does this happen?
(spring)
She was white and gray
A green, young one came.
(winter and spring)
There's someone's house on a branch here
There are no doors or windows in it,
But it’s warm for the chicks to live there.
This is the name of the house (nest)
I walk next to the janitor,
I'm shoveling snow around
And I help the guys
Make a mountain, build a house.
(shovel)
They ask for him, they wait for him,
And when he comes, they will start hiding.
(rain)
In the midst of spring
Juice drips from the snow-white bark.
(birch)
On a green fragile leg
The ball grew near the path.
The breeze rustled
AND dispelled this ball.
(dandelion)
The streams rang and the rooks flew in.
The bee brought the first honey to the hive.
Who's to say, who knows
When does this happen? (spring)
There are a lot of professions in the world, please tell me, guys, what professions do you know?
And who dreams of becoming a military man, a cook, a teacher, etc.?
What dangerous professions do you know? - children's answers.
Stage II. Competitions.
He goes boldly into the fire,
He is familiar with the flame,
He's not tired of it
Work with light.
(Firefighter)
Competition 1. "Firefighters".
Number of players: two teams.
Additionally: two jackets, rope.
Turn out the sleeves of two jackets and hang them on the backs of chairs. Place the chairs at a distance of one meter with their backs facing each other. Place a two-meter long rope under the chairs. Both participants stand at their chairs. At the signal, they must take their jackets, turn out the sleeves, put them on, and fasten all the buttons. Then run around your opponent’s chair, sit on your chair and pull the string.
Also, what dangerous profession do you know? – answers.
Will replace the robot-machine -
He will defuse a bomb or a mine himself.
Shouldn't be wrong at all
To stay alive later.
(Sapper)
There is a military profession - sappers, people - military people who clear dangerous areas in a field, in a populated area, that is, mined areas.
Competition 2. "Minefield".
Number of players: two teams.
Additionally: small things.
The number of players must be even to divide everyone into pairs (teams). Before the start of the game, a sufficiently large playing space is allocated, start and finish marks are placed (about 20 steps apart). Then, depending on the number of teams (i.e. pairs), the same number of paths from start to finish are visually highlighted, along which all sorts of small things are scattered (notebooks, scarves, sweets, etc.). Each player from the team stands on the starting line blindfolded. His task is to successfully reach the finish line without hitting or stepping on a single thing on his way. If he steps on something, he starts over. The point is that his teammate can help him through this difficult path, guiding him along the right path with his voice (how to raise your leg, where is the obstacle, etc.). Whoever reaches the finish line first is the winner
Who is this riddle about?
He climbs onto a pole on his claws,
He cuts the wires.
Who is this? Maybe a thief?
This - (electrician).
Competition 3. "Electricians".
Number of players: two teams.
Everyone knows that the work of electricians is often associated with certain risks, especially if it involves high voltage currents and devices.
"Electrician" or one of the children of the first team. The second team will be kind of unique "wires". They must stand in a circle, hold hands and "get confused" without breaking hands. Next comes the time "electrics" which should unravel "wires" for the system to work. Under no circumstances should players release their hands.
Whichever of the selected children untangles the wires faster, that team wins
And what is the kindest profession? These people are loved and feared, even by animals?
Cough and fever -
Got sick. Well, don't cry.
Will give you a pill and a potion
And he will prescribe an injection
(in...h).
Competition 4. "Good Doctor".
Number of players: two teams.
Additionally: thermometer (made from cardboard, tablet (made from cardboard, bandage.
Doctor (or the first player from the team) must take the patient’s hand, take him to the mark and sit him on a chair, put on a thermometer, give the medicine, bandage the hand and return to the team. The next player runs to pick up the thermometer and unbandage his hand. And he discharges the “sick” person, that is, takes him back to the team. The team that finishes it faster wins.
What is the name of the profession of the people who cook us delicious food? I'll find them in the restaurant -
These people in caps
They cast magic over pots
With ladle in hands.
Competition 5. “Soup is our friend, darling!”.
Participants are invited to come up with recipes for unusual soups and feed their favorite toys with these soups made from food models. In addition, children should come up with unconventional names for their unusual soups. The winner of this competition is the one who has the most unusual darling soup.
We are on a spring day in May
Let's go for a walk to the slender birch tree.
We will be friends with her,
Start round dances.
Let's play the spring game brook, our grandparents and great-grandmothers also played it. The postman Pechkin will play with us, he’s familiar with this game, isn’t he?
We all play trickle.
Dear postman Pechkin, we think this package is not for us.
Pechkin: - I agree with you, but I have small gifts for you (hands out balls).
Summing up the overall result.
What holiday was it our event is dedicated to? (Children's answers). What changes in nature occur in spring? (Children's answers). What professions do you know? (Children's answers). Did you like our program. (Children's answers). Our the program has come to an end. Thank you very much to everyone for participating in the celebration.
Children get up and leave to the song "March of the Merry Guys".
Words by V. Lebedev-Kumach
May Day- other names: Labor Day, Spring day, Labour Day(in the Russian Federation), International Workers' Day- celebrated in 142 countries and territories around the world on May 1 or the first Monday in May.
History of the holiday.
In the middle of the 19th century, with the growth of production, more and more people in industrial countries (Europe, USA, Russia, etc.) left the countryside and moved to the city, where they got jobs in factories and factories. The working day of workers, minus three breaks for meals (1 hour for lunch and 20-30 minutes for breakfast and dinner) lasted 12-15 hours. There were no usual days off for us - Saturday and Sunday.
Hard physical labor was poorly paid, workers lacked food and lived in conditions that did not meet sanitary and hygienic requirements. In most cases, their homes were overcrowded. Cheap child labor has become widespread.
All this led to an aggravation of the social situation. Workers began to organize into unions and organize strikes, demanding higher wages, an eight-hour working day, and other improvements in working conditions. At the same time, socialist and communist, as well as anarchist ideas began to spread among them. The most radical supporters of these ideas called for a social revolution - the establishment of workers' power.
May 1, 1886 in Chicago(USA) there was a peaceful demonstration of workers demanding an eight-hour working day. The rally was brutally dispersed by the police, and four demonstrators were killed. On the evening of the same day, provocateurs threw a bomb at a police detachment. The police opened fire on the crowd. The explosion and gunfire killed ten people and injured dozens of people.
Four anarchist workers were executed on charges of organizing a terrorist attack. Although the guilt of the convicts was not proven.
In memory of these tragic events in the summer In 1889, the Paris Congress of the Second International declared May 1 as Workers' Solidarity Day. and proposed that it be celebrated annually with demonstrations around the world. For the first time, May 1 was celebrated in 1890 by workers in Belgium, France, Germany, the USA, Denmark, Spain and some other countries.
How May 1 is celebrated in different countries.
In Finland May Day (Vappu) is the students' spring carnival. In Helsinki, the celebration begins on the thirtieth of April, when at six o'clock in the evening, students put on a white cap - the headdress of applicants - on the statue of the nymph Havis Amanda, standing on the capital's Market Square. At this moment, everyone present also puts on their caps and opens bottles of champagne. Those who graduate from the lyceum and pass the final exam receive the white cap.
IN THE USA On May 1, Americans celebrate Law Day, Children's Health Day and Loyalty Day. You can put celebration in quotation marks, because nevertheless Americans work on May 1st.
In Ancient Italy, three thousand years ago they worshiped the goddess Maya, the patroness of the earth and fertility. The first month of spring was named in her honor. On this day, festivities and celebrations were held.
In Sicily On May Day, everyone, young and old, collects meadow daisies, which, according to local beliefs, bring happiness.
INSpain May 1 – Green Santiago, holiday of lovers and flowers. (reading about holidays in Spain, I get the impression that almost every holiday is dedicated to lovers and flowers)))
In Berlin On May 1, numerous parties and movements hold rallies on this day, which invariably end in fights and brawls.
France. May 1 is an official public holiday in this country. The French were the first to talk about their rights, as I wrote above. Mass demonstrations are still taking place in France. And on May 1st in France there is a holiday of lilies of the valley, everyone gives each other bouquets of these fragrant spring flowers. This is the main attribute of French May Day, like carnations in Russia. The flower is supposed to be dried and stored for a whole year, until the next holiday.
Canada. Canadian Indians have been celebrating May 1st for many centuries. Gopher Day. Going to bed sober is considered a great sin... And official Labor Day appeared in Canada more than a century ago, but Canadians prefer to use Labor Day for relaxation. As in Russia, this non-working day is added to the weekend, and the result is a three-day vacation.
China. Until recently, May 1st was the start of one of three “Golden Weeks,” when the weekend lasted a whole week across the country. These days, the Chinese travel a lot. “Golden weeks” appeared in China in 1999, but already in 2007 the May week was canceled because it had a negative impact on production and trade. But May 1 is still a day off.
Hawaii. Lei are beautiful branch garlands worn around the neck in Hawaii. The poet Don Blanding came up with the idea of celebrating Garland Day in 1927. On this day, beauty contests, dances and fairs are held.
Netherlands. The Tulip Festival takes place here in the last week of April and the first week of May.
Scandinavian countries. Here on Walpurgis Night (the night from April 30 to May 1) people do not sleep. They light fires, dance in circles, play musical instruments, and shoot to scare away the trolls. According to Danish and Swedish folk beliefs, on this night witches and demons fly to their gatherings, and the fires of the fires prevent them from stopping and harming people. The day itself, May 1st, is called “Cuckoo Day” in Scandinavian countries.
SOUTH AFRICA. Here, Solidarity Day is held under the patronage of the authorities. Trade unions organize exhibitions of folk art products, sales of consumer goods at reduced prices, and performances of amateur and professional musical groups.
Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary: In Switzerland, on May Day, girls plant a pine tree in front of their window. In other countries, at night, young men plant maypoles in an inconspicuous place in front of the windows of their lovers.
South Korea. But in South Korea, on this day almost the entire population celebrates the birthday of Buddha. In our time, from a religious holiday it has turned into an almost secular one - processions of thousands, dances and chants.
Norway also celebrates Labor Day, but only as a tribute to secular custom. People call this day the day of the cuckoo and print a picture of this bird on all calendars on May 1st.
Veronicaabout the author
Veronica
Teaching languages is my life, I can’t do anything else, and I don’t want to do anything else. in 2016, I decided to create the LF School to gather a wonderful team of professional teachers and share with each other their experience and effective secrets in teaching, so that classes at our school become necessary for you and bring the desired result. I will be very glad to see you among the students of our school, or among my personal students!