May holidays in Russia in 2018 when do they start? In accordance with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, Russians celebrate two holidays in May. May Day, or the holiday of spring and labor - May 1, the second solemn day, which is included in the calendar of May holidays, is celebrated on May 9 - this is Victory Day.
A bit of history
What you need to know about May Day holidays?
- May Day is celebrated by all working people. It would be more correct to say that it was so in the beginning. If you look into history, it becomes clear that the roots of this May holiday originate in Australia. Mid-19th century, 1856, workers protested and demanded that the conditions be met for their working day to be eight hours long.
- Workers in Canada and the United States of America supported the Australians and also demanded an eight-hour day.
- There was a clash between local police and workers in Chicago on May 1st. This conflict ended in bloodshed. Subsequently, in Paris, at a congress, it was established: every year on May 1carry out demonstrations in memory of the dead people.
- In Russia, the first such marches took place in St. Petersburg. This happened in 1891. But at first it had a completely different name than now, and was called International Day.
- In 1972, it changed its name again and became known to everyone as International Workers' Day - May 1st. At first, two days were allotted for the celebration of this solemn event: the first and second of May.
- 1992: the name of the holiday was changed, it became known in Russia as the Holiday of Spring and Labor. The days off were the first and second of May.
- In 2005, it was decided to leave only one day off, dedicated to the celebration of the May holiday - May 1.
May Day Traditions
Earlier on May 1, which is included in the calendar of May holidays, it was customary to hold demonstrations, various processions, parades, concerts. Slogans concerning workers' rights were heard at concerts and parades. On this holiday, included in the calendar, it was customary to award diplomas to distinguished workers.
Also on this day, everyone celebrates the onset of the final spring month of May. Buds are blooming on the trees, everything around is blooming and everyone wants spring, real and warm after a long winter.
How we relax on the May holidays
Most often on May 1, people go out into nature, in the fresh air, have a picnic, gather with friends and relax, fry kebabs, arrange a feast, play outdoor games.
You can also celebrate this day at concerts that are held in every city, visit cultural events. You can go to the cinema or the museum. Each city has a whole list of recreational activities, and it's easy to choose what you like. You can also organize a weekend trip and go on a day trip with family or friends.
Victory Day
The second day off in the calendar of May holidays, minor and at the same time joyful - Victory Day, the date of celebration is May 9th. This year, this bright holiday falls on Wednesday. The Soviet army won the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of this historic event. The celebration in Russia is always celebrated on a grand scale. Of course, the most beautiful parade is undoubtedly held on Red Square in the Russian capital.
This is an unforgettable holiday. Directly on May 9, the main historical and victorious act was adopted. Germany capitulated. And on the Red Square of the city of Moscow, a thousand guns fired a festive salute, supplemented this spectacle with multi-colored rockets and spotlights, the crowd on the square rejoiced.
Traditions of May 9th
On this day, according to tradition, a festive parade is held using military equipment, a festive procession, laying flowers on monuments and memorials in each city, rewarding and honoring veterans; concert dedicated to the Victory Day. And at the endcelebration fireworks are held.
It has already become a custom to pass this day in the Immortal Regiment column. Participants of this movement pass with photographs of relatives and friends of people who went through the war. The beginning of the movement, as it is known now, fell on 2011. Each person can fill out a chronicle on the official website of the regiment about their relatives. Now there are 405993 names in the annals.
Symbols of the holiday
What are they?
- St. George ribbon. The black and orange ribbon was a badge of distinction during the war years. It was an indicator of special military prowess. Since 2005, as a sign of respect and gratitude to those who died and at the cost of their lives fought for a peaceful sky above their heads. Such a ribbon is tied to clothes.
- Victory Banner. This is a special state symbol of the Russian Federation. It was hoisted on May 1, 1945 by Russian soldiers over the building of the Berlin Reichstag. Thanks to historical data, it is known that the Banner of Victory, installed above the Reichstag, was made in the field and was an improvisation of the flag of the USSR. It was a brown canvas, it was attached to a pole and had a drawing on it. In the upper part of the flag there is a five-pointed asterisk, a sickle and a hammer are also applied. And on the same side, a text was written that read: "150 pages of the Order of Kutuzov II st. Idritsk. div. 79 C. K. 3 U. A. 1 B. F."
The original Victory Banner is kept in the museum. In parades, copies of the Victory Banner are most often used. Another symbol of the holiday is the city-heroes and cities of military glory. Hero cities inRussia - 7, and the second - 45. Obelisks and steles are installed there. On the ninth of May, it is customary to lay flowers in memory of the events of the Patriotic War. From the calendar of May holidays, it becomes clear that in Russia in 2018 they have five days of rest in May, taking into account April 29 and 30.
Summing up
In May 2018 there will be a few days when you can have a great rest and relax.
The solemn date of May 1 gives the people of Russia four days of rest:
- April 29 - holiday, Sunday;
- April 30 is a day of rest, transferred from Saturday April 28;
- May 1 - Spring and Labor Day, official holiday;
- May 2 is the rescheduled second holiday from January 2018.
Memorable celebration - May 9 will bring one day of rest. This is a state holiday. The 8th is the pre-holiday date. The working day will be reduced by one hour in honor of the solemn holiday of the Great Victory Day.
Weekends for the May holidays will be such that, summing up, we can calculate that there will be 20 working days in May, and the remaining 11 days Russians have a rest (taking into account regular weekends).
