Although sometimes called Labor Day, today, May 1st, is a National Holiday in Poland known officially as “National Holiday.” Why? Well, this hearkens back to communist times. In those days, May 1st was called Labor Day and in many communist countries, it was a time to not only celebrate the socialist state and its workers, but to bring out all the “big guns”–literally. They used to make it into a day in which the military might of the Communist countries was paraded forth. Well, we see where that got them.
But now, it is simply National Holiday, but it will be followed in short order by a bigger holiday, on May 3rd. You’ll have to look it up or wait in suspense to read about it here in my blog.
But there’s more to the story. In general, thse May holidays (1st, 2nd and 3rd of May) are called in Polish “Majówka“, a pun made from the May month name (it can be translated as May-day picnic). And now you know the rest of the story. So enjoy the first three days of May in Polish tradition. But remember, May 3rd is a big holiday. Why? Come back here on May 3rd to find out!
