Peace, labor, May: how the main spring holiday appeared and changed in Kazan

      Peace! Labor! May! The spring holiday was celebrated in the country the day before. The traditions of Soviet heritage and spring recreation in a modern way. Why does May Day unite generations and how is the holiday of workers' solidarity celebrated today? A report by Alexander Maiorov

      "The holiday of spring, the holiday of the approaching summer," residents recall about May Day. "Waving flags, banners," "posters - peace, friendship, accordions, dances," "all the adults went to the demonstration and then returned home happy" - these images are still associated with May 1 by many. Peace! Labor! May! - a slogan familiar to everyone, backed by more than a century of history. Today, it is long-awaited weekends, outings to nature, and the opening of the dacha season, but originally the holiday was linked to the struggle for workers' rights, risks, and underground meetings.

      The roots of May Day go back to Chicago in 1886, when thousands of people took to the streets demanding an eight-hour workday. Three years later, in 1889, May 1 was declared International Workers' Solidarity Day. In the Russian Empire, the holiday remained semi-underground for a long time and was celebrated in the form of "May Day picnics."

      In Kazan, the first May Day picnic was held by Nikolai Bauman in 1892 near the walls of the Zilant Monastery. Before the revolution, such gatherings took place outside the city - in the Trinity Forest, on the Arsk Field, and in other places where political issues were discussed under the guise of recreation.

      "A beautiful May day, people with accordions going to the river, but in reality, these are secret meetings where speeches are made and proclamations are distributed," local historians recount.

      After 1917, May Day became a mass open holiday. In the 1920s, preparations for demonstrations were made in advance: enterprises decorated columns, created decorations, and festive platforms.

      During the Great Patriotic War, the holiday took on a different meaning - the slogan "Everything for the front, everything for victory" echoed in factories and in the rear. Labor became the main contribution to the common struggle.

      In the post-war years, demonstrations became large-scale and bright: columns of enterprises, banners, flags, orchestras. Freedom Square in Kazan was the main gathering place for workers.

      "Children sat on their parents' shoulders, waving flags, everyone shouted slogans, and this was broadcast on television," participants from those years recall.

      Today, for many, May Day is no longer about demonstrations but about recreation in nature. "Shashlik, dacha, the first warm days," residents say. Thus, the holiday that began as a symbol of the struggle for workers' rights has gradually become a day of spring, rest, and family gatherings, while preserving its historical memory.

      More news about the event:

      May Day in Kazan: from underground meetings to a spring holiday

      Dilyara Aminova Weekend Editor

      May Day is celebrated on May 1. The holiday has a history of over a century, starting from the struggle for workers' rights in Chicago in 1886. 22:12 03.05.2026 ProKazan.Ru - Kazan

      Peace, labor, May: how the main spring holiday appeared and changed in Kazan

      Peace! Labor! May! The spring holiday was celebrated in the country the day before. The traditions of Soviet heritage and spring recreation in a modern way. 17:42 03.05.2026 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Festive concert "Hooray, May Day!"

      The festive concert "Hooray, May Day!" dedicated to the holiday of spring and labor took place on May 3 in the poetic living room of the MBU "DK Aprelevka." 18:14 03.05.2026 DK Aprelevka - Aprelevka

      Dear colleagues and veterans of the culture sector! Dear friends! Happy May Day and spring day!

      I sincerely congratulate you on the wonderful spring holiday of labor and renewal! 00:57 04.05.2026 Ministry of Culture - Gorno-Altaysk

      The Republican Hospital participated in the May Day action "Solidarity of Workers of Russia - Unity of the Country!"

      Every year, May 1 is celebrated as the holiday of Spring and Labor. In 2026, on the eve of International Workers' Solidarity Day, an action under the slogan "Solidarity of Workers of Russia - Unity of the Country!" is taking place across the country. 14:11 03.05.2026 Republican Hospital - Cheboksary

      Concert program "Peace, Labor, May!"

      On May 1, a festive concert program dedicated to the Day of Spring and Labor took place in the culture and recreation park. 11:14 03.05.2026 Culture Center - Kurkino

      Online quiz "Peace, labor, May."

      The holiday on May 1 is a significant event celebrated across the country for many years, including beyond its borders. 08:10 03.05.2026 Children's Library - Rybnoye

      Educational and entertainment program "The soul sings, meet May Day!"

      The month of May begins with the Holiday of Spring and Labor, which was previously called International Workers' Solidarity Day. 16:51 03.05.2026 Central Library - Khorinsk

      Game program "Peace! Labor! May!" at Lipikhinsky SDC

      On May 2, a game program "Peace! Labor! May!" took place at Lipikhinsky SDC. The kids learned that the holiday on May 1 was called International Workers' Solidarity Day and was celebrated in many countries around the world. 12:46 03.05.2026 Culture and Leisure Center - Uporovo

      Flash mob "Peace! Labor! May!"

      Photo: www.nmosk-lib.ru

      May Day is a traditional and beloved holiday in our country, dedicated to labor for the sake of peace, harmony, and unity. 10:24 03.05.2026 IA Novomoskovsk Today - Novomoskovsk

      Congratulations from the Head of the Kizlyar District Akim Mikirov on May Day

      Dear residents of the Kizlyar District!

      Please accept my most sincere congratulations on May Day - the holiday of spring, peace, and labor! 10:00 03.05.2026 Administration of the Kizlyar District - Kizlyar

      An event took place

      Today, a festive event dedicated to the holiday of Spring and Labor took place in our village. 08:45 03.05.2026 Municipal Formation - Surskoye

      May 1 - Day of Spring and Labor!

      May 1 - Day of Spring and Labor!

      🌸Years go by, times change, but May Day remains one of the most beloved holidays in our country. 10:52 03.05.2026 Industrial Technical School - Solnechny

      Congratulations on the Day of Spring and Labor!

      Dear residents of Sverdlovsk region, colleagues, and partners!

      The team of the Capital Repair Fund congratulates you all on May 1 - the holiday of Spring and Labor! 02:28 03.05.2026 Capital Repair Fund - Yekaterinburg

      Dear colleagues, rural workers, and labor veterans!

      Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt congratulations on International Workers' Solidarity Day, the holiday of Spring and Labor - May 1! 06:09 03.05.2026 Ministry of Agriculture - Blagoveshchensk

      Happy Spring and Labor Day!

      Dear fans! We congratulate you on the holiday of spring and labor - May 1! 19:47 02.05.2026 FC Dynamo - Bryansk

      "Sickle and Hammer" - May Day in the Kasimov District

      On International Workers' Solidarity Day, Kasimov communists and party supporters actively celebrated the holiday. 18:05 02.05.2026 CPRF - Ryazan

      Central City Library. Reading Room. "History of the May 1 Holiday," a historical excursion to the Holiday of Spring and Labor.

      On May 2, 2026, a historical excursion "History of the May 1 Holiday" was held for students. 17:53 02.05.2026 Central Library System of Saratov - Saratov

      The acting director of the Lenin Memorial Vitaly Kuzin congratulates on May 1

      Dear friends!

      I sincerely congratulate you on May 1!

      Let's turn the pages of history. 16:14 02.05.2026 Lenin Memorial - Ulyanovsk

      Congratulations from the rector Sergey Alexandrovich Nelyubov on the Holiday of Spring and Labor

      Dear colleagues, students, veterans! From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you on the Holiday of Spring and Labor! 19:11 02.05.2026 Kuybyshev Branch of NGP - Kuybyshev

      Congratulations from the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov on the Holiday of Spring and Labor - May 1!

      Dear friends! I congratulate you on the Holiday of Spring and Labor! This day unites everyone who, through their daily work, creates the future of our country: educating the younger generation, providing children with new knowledge. 19:11 02.05.2026 Kuybys