Plan B Forum

The May holidays in Russia, which have always been celebrated with a lot of pride and passion, start with May 1, International Labour Day. The country first celebrated Labour Day way back in 1890, decades before the formation of the Soviet Union. Initially it was called ‘Day of International Solidarity of the Labour Class.’ In 1997, the name was changed to ‘Labour and Spring Day.’ It has always being a symbol of revolution and the never-ending fight between rich and poor classes.

From 1917, May 1 demonstrations were always influenced by the Communist Party. Millions of workers would attend demonstrations all over the country. They would carry various slogans, such as “All power to the Soviets” and “All power to the labour class.” Ironically, the mostly political gatherings slowly lost their political colour.

For us, Soviet children, the run up to May 1 was always a very happy time for several reasons. There was a great anticipation of the time off from school. Usually we had 2 days off and after a weak another holiday would come - May 9th - World War 2 Victory Day.


Here comes another round of holidays

The May Day demonstration was a very enjoyable event to attend and we would start getting ready few weeks in advance. We had to make paper flowers and stick it to the twigs so they would look like apple tree blossoms. We had to take out balloons from cupboards. We had to make red paper flags to bring to the demonstration. Everybody was happy and the children danced, waved flags and balloons. The festivities were full of positive energy. Now those days are gone and are a part of history like the Soviet Union itself. The celebratory aspects are gone for today’s children, though they are still excited about the holidays and spring.

Nowadays, Labour Day is also celebrated in India but I don’t think anybody gives enough importance to this holiday. Someone I know here cracked a joke that on Labour Day people should work the hardest and not have the day off. One of my Russian friends commented that in Russia before people have a day off, they work hard contributing to society by cleaning the streets. That was called ‘Subbotnik’ meaning something that is done on Saturday. This tradition came from Soviet Collectivism. Everybody would receive a notice about what time to come for Subbotnik. There would be organisers who would allocate areas to people. We would come prepared: wearing old cloths, gloves, bringing brooms and shovels. It was collective effort to contribute to society; everybody contributed and the experience was satisfying. I think India could definitely benefit from this practice. Maybe then more Indians would value International Labour Day.

dales wrote:More May 1st from Russia.....

The origins of the celebrations in Padstow are unknown. There is extensive documentary evidence of British community May Day celebrations in the 16th century and earlier, although the earliest mention of the Obby 'Oss at Padstow dates from 1803. An earlier hobby horse is mentioned in the Cornish language drama Beunans Meriasek, a life of the Camborne saint, where it is associated with a troupe, or "companions."

It has been speculated that such festivals have pre-Christian origins, such as in the Celtic festival of Beltane in the Celtic nations, and the Germanic celebrations during the Þrimilci-mōnaþ (literally Three-Milking Month or Month of Three Milkings) in England. It has also been proposed that the worship of horse deities such as Epona was found in ancient Celtic societies such as the possibly related Mari Lwyd ('Grey Mare') traditions of South Wales.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Obby_%27Oss_festival

A day of peaceful May Day rallies in the US city of Seattle turned violent after dark, as eight police officers were hurt and 18 people arrested.

Protesters hurled rocks, bottles and asphalt at officers, smashing car and shop windows and tipping over bins.

Police in riot gear responded with "blast ball" grenades that release smoke laced with pepper spray.



Earlier on Wednesday, activists marched through the city centre, promoting worker rights and immigration reform.

"We're a bigger, better city than this," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn at a press briefing.

"I'm disappointed that this is the picture the world sees of us."

The police officers suffered mostly scrapes and bruises, although one female officer was hit in the knee with a lump of asphalt, the Reuters news agency reported.

An immigration rally on Wednesday afternoon attracted 3,000-4,000 people, the Seattle Times reported.

The demonstrations had been peaceful throughout the day, but the crowd became rowdy about 20:00 local time (03:00 GMT) as clusters of people, including black-clad anarchists, broke off and began smashing windows of businesses, a courthouse, and cars.

The 150-200 protesters that stayed on for the "non-permitted" protest had scattered by midnight on Thursday.

May Day rallies were held in cities across the US, with thousands turning out in Los Angeles, California and hundreds in Phoenix, Arizona.

The rallies came two weeks after a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation in Washington that could overhaul US immigration rules.

President Barack Obama has indicated his support for the plan.