Celebrating the First Day of May

International Labor Day

People all around the world celebrate the “Workers’ Day”. In Greece and in a lot of countries the first day of May is considered the “Labor Day” – “η Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά” and is a public holiday. Why? It is a day dedicated to the struggles of the workers and the labor movement. The first day of May commemorates the Haymarket Riot in Chicago (1886). On May 4, 1886 a violent conflict took place in Chicago, Illinois. This is the reason why workers and employees, who belong in various workplaces, take part in the “Labor Day” parade to honour the gains of workers against capitalism.

Celebration of flowers and spring

Furthermore, the celebration of the flowers is observed the first day of May in Greece. “Η Πρωτομαγιά” is connected with the rewakening of the nature and the blooming of the plants. Making the “Mayday wreath” remains a tradition in Greece. Greeks go to the countryside, collect fresh and colourful flowers and make the “Mayday wreath”. Making the “Mayday wreath” needs our good taste and patience. We need thin and woody branches from trees, such as olive trees or sour orange trees to make a round base. We decorate the base of the wreath with daisies, popies, carnations, narcissi, violets, hyakinths, lilies, chamomile plants, jasmines and other flowers we like. The “Mayday wreath” is hung on the door of the Greeks’ houses. The wreath symbolizes the fertility of spring and people believe it brings prosperity, abundance and health to their houses, too. According to Greek tradition, the Greeks have the wreaths on their doors until the celabration of Saint Ioannis Kleidonas. The official date of this celebration is 24, June during which the Greeks light fires in the fields and throw the “Mayday wreath” inside the fire.

Happy May Day to everybody! Καλή Πρωτομαγιά σε όλους!

Λεξιλόγιο – Vocabulary