Russian Celebrations: May Day/Spring and Labor Day


Figure 1.--Here we see what looks like an early Soviet May Day Parade, probably in the 1920s. We are not sure where the photograph was taken. I'm not sure what the banners say. The saluting boy looks to be wearing a Young Pioneer red scarve.

May Day (Первое мая)is a 2-day holiday in Russia. For many years in Europe, creating a May Day holiday was a huge political issue, especially in traditional countries like Tsarist Russia. This of course changed with the Revolution and the Bolshevik seizure of power. May Day during Soviet times was among the most important holidays as it was after World War II in the Soviet satellite Communist countries. It was also celebrated in Western countries with important labor movements. There was a huge parade in Moscow, Lenningrad ans other cities. It was originally celebrated as the the Day of International Solidarity of Workers. As a result there were often peace conntations to May Day celebrations in Western countries. This was of course fitting is it working people that are drafted into armies to fight wars. The Soviets used May Day, however, to show off their latest military hardware. May Day parades also included endless ranks od soldiers marching past. We also noticed Young Pioneer groups marching. In modern Russia it has become a holiday celebrating both the arrival of Spring as wll as to honor Labour. The modern Russian celebration is called Spring and Labour Day. In can fall close to Russian Orthodox Easter, so Russians celebrate it in different ways. Some celebrate in church while other Russians attend the more customary secular activities. A display of modern weapons and marching soldiers is still held in Moscow. The celebration, however, is much more low key than it was in Soviet days. Various people march, including the Communists and workers with greviences. Hopefully our Russian readers will tell us more about May Day celebraions in Russia.

Tsarist Russia ( -1917)

For many years in Europe, creating a May Day holiday was a huge political issue, especially in traditional countries like Tsarist Russia.

Soviet Era (1917-91)

The issue of May Day was of course resolved by the Revolution and the Bolshevik seizure of power. May Day during Soviet times was among the most important holidays as it was after World War II in the Soviet satellite Communist countries. It was also celebrated in Western countries with important labor movements. May Day parades were major events, especially the parade in Moscow. There was a huge parade in Moscow, Lenningrad ans other cities. It was originally celebrated as the the Day of International Solidarity of Workers. As a result, there were often peace conntations to May Day celebrations in Western countries. This was of course fitting is it working people that are drafted into armies to fight wars. The Moscow May Day parade was unlike that in the WEst a celebration of peace. The Soviets used May Day, however, to show off their latest military hardware and to demostrare Soviet military power. May Day parades also included endless ranks od soldiers marching past. We also noticed Young Pioneer groups marching.

Modern Russia (1992- )

In modern Russia it has become a holiday celebrating both the arrival of Spring as wll as to honor Labour. The modern Russian celebration is called Spring and Labour Day. In can fall close to Russian Orthodox Easter, so Russians celebrate it in different ways. Some celebrate in church while other Russians attend the more customary secular activities. A display of modern weapons and marching soldiers is still held in Moscow. The celebration, however, is much more low key than it was in Soviet days. Various people march, including the Communists and workers with greviences. Hopefully our Russian readers will tell us more about May Day celebraions in Russia today.






HBC





Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main individual Russian holiday page]
[Return to the Main Russian holiday page]
[Return to the Main national holiday page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Girls]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [Essays] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]



Created: 5:38 PM 11/27/2005
Last updated: 12:34 PM 10/31/2008