Labor Day (Labor Day)

Bulgarian Socialist Party Celebrates First of MayThis holiday is celebrated in 66 countries of the world after the decision of the 1st (Paris) Congress of the 2nd International in July 1889 to annually celebrate the International Day of Workers’ Solidarity in memory of the speech and struggle with the Chicago workers’ police in May 1886.

In Bulgaria, the Labor Day was first celebrated in 1890 on the initiative of the Society of Printers. Soon, the Bulgarian Workers’ Social Democratic Party became the main organizer of May Day demonstrations. Since 1945, May Day has been a public holiday.

During the socialist era, May Day demonstrations were an important attribute of the ideology of the ruling Bulgarian Communist Party. By May 1, party and social obligations were accepted, and the start-up of enterprises was planned. In Sofia, these demonstrations were held at the mausoleum of Georgy Dimitrov (now destroyed). The first people of the party and the country received demonstrations from the stands of the mausoleum.

May Day (as well as any mass demonstrations) were canceled by decree after the Chernobyl accident in 1986, but in the first days after the accident, the authorities were silent about the danger approaching the country and on May 1, 1986 the demonstration took place under radioactive rain.

Today, on May 1, people gather under the banner of trade unions, as well as at the initiative of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. People’s festivities, trade union rallies are organized. In the Central Park of Sofia (“Boris Garden”), the left seal celebrates its holiday.