 |
 |
The 1st of May - The Day of Labour in Belarus
The 1st of May - is still a day off in most countries of the FSU. This day has a status of
the official holiday and is called The Day of Labour now.
The roots of this holiday come from the United States.
In 1886th on the 1st of May the wave of demonstrations of the American workers
swept the country. The workers strove for 8-hours working day, increase
of the salary and the guaranties of it's payment.
On the 4th of May, seeing that
authorities didn't pay any attention to their peaceful demonstrations, workers
organized a meeting of protest which gradually developed into the mass disturbances.
The tragic conclusion of that developments was exposion of a bomb, thrown by a provoker.
7 policemen were killed and about 60 wounded. The police started to shoot at the crowd and
finally dozens of people had died.
Three years later the Second International proclaimed
the 1st of May the day of international solidarity of workers and in 1890th this
holiday was celebrated not only in the USA, but also in most European countries.
In Russia the first may-day meeting took place in 1891st in St. Petersburg. Although it looked more
like a picnic - meeting in nature with drinks and snack - in 1895th in Moscow this holiday took a mass
character. However these illegal may-day meetings were considered mostly as a party
until 1901st when the mass strikes took place all around the country. The 1st of May had become
an official holiday straight after the October revolution.
During all the communist timing the day of
workers' solidarity was celebrated very solemnly and pompously. For example within the first
several years after revolution May day festivities used to begin with Lenin's speach.
After that
there was a parade of Red Army units, procession of athletes and then demonstration of working
people that went on for many hours.
Nowadays The Day of Labour does not have any political coloration in Belarus. It is just a holiday in honour
of work and working people.
It still looks very pompous, but the subject is worth it! "The labour
made a monkey become human", - Darvin said. His theory is rather argueable, but it's clear that
only hard work can bring happiness and prosperity to our life.
At the timing of economical crisis
in the contries of the Former Soviet Union, May day is being a very significant holiday because it
shows that there are still enough people that love their work and do it professionaly. The demonstration
that took place in Gomel was short, about 40 minutes. However most of enterprises of our town
took part in the procession.
Most of them are of great importance in our life. For example
one of the first groups in the column is officials and workers of the municipal thermoelectric network.
They bring heat and electricy to our houses and I don't remember when we had troubles with it which
something happen in many places of Russia in winter time. Then go representatives of the machine tool plants,
steel mill, weaving mills and educational institutions.
Of course, most of Gomel people spent this holiday not in the demonstration columns, but on the dachas
and garden plots. Everything has returned into the places: people again protect their welfare in any accessible way.
This time they cultivate some fruit and vegetables which will allow them
to save some money... and this is probably the best thing they can do at the moment...
It's enough revolutions for now.
