May 1 can hardly be called a holiday in its traditional sense. Unlike the New Year or, for example, Christmas, the International Labor Day is increasingly perceived as an occasion for the rest, a holiday of spring, and an opportunity to meet old acquaintances and relatives. However, what do we really celebrate, what role does this day play for today’s Ukraine? DUMKA has found out whether it is worth refusing to celebrate May 1, whether there are links between this holiday and the Soviet past, how do the May holidays relate with domestic tourism, whether there are such days off in modern realities, and what do the surveys conducted by sociologists say.
What do we celebrate, and should we give up on May 1?
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Olga Stuzhuk, co-founder of the agency for marketing communications “TSK agency’’, is convinced that the cancellation of the celebration of May 1 is not needed yet, since this day has long been associated with a traditional holiday and good weather. Olga Stuzhuk emphasizes that in due course this holiday has all chances to become an atavism of society, but not today.
“On May 1, we together with 142 countries of the world celebrate the International Labor Day or Workers’ Day when they are asserting their rights. In my opinion, it is not necessary to cancel this holiday and leave it to this time. The weather on this day is always good, May 1 is associated with picnics, planting works.
Older generations become accustomed to this holiday, and it would be unreasonable to cancel it now. It’s good, that the celebration was reduced to 1 day, and the day off on May 2 was canceled. However, the world is developing so fast along with the formats and approaches to work that later this holiday will become the atavism of society. But not now”, left in comments to DUMKA.
May 1 and the Soviet past – is there a connection?
Yurii Trachuk, a lawyer and a patent council of Ukraine, told DUMKA, that in the time of the USSR this holiday was rather an instrument of supporting party propaganda – that’s why this day was paid for all employees. At the same time, Trachuk is convinced that today Ukrainians are losing their competitiveness, as they rest more than other European citizens.
“Actually, May 1 is a day off. But, the employer still have to pay for it: either a private employer or public one, both have to pay. Why? Because it was necessary to go to the May Day demonstration, under the red banner and communist slogans. So, the USSR in this way maintained its own propaganda. Therefore, it makes sense, that this day was paid (with a salary). But why these days we lose our competitiveness, having the most rest days in Europe – it’s a mystery … But it’s not because we are the richest, for sure. Maybe the most hard-working? “, Yurii Trachuk is thinking out loud.
Dmytro Franchuk, a political consultant, is also convinced that for the post-Soviet countries May 1 has a slightly different tone than for European countries. The expert connects it with communist ideology. Also, Franchuk stressed, that the main question is – what exactly do we all celebrate today and whether do we celebrate at all?
“Historically, May 1 has been celebrated by everyone since the Soviet era. Then it was a holiday of people who work hard for the whole communist party. In general, there are so many holidays and days off in the country, unlike the EU countries, where the economy is more stable and, by many terms, is better. The main question is: what do we all celebrate this day or do we celebrate at all? “, Dmytro Franchuk noted for DUMKA.
Do Ukrainians “rest” more than others?
Igor Lubkivskii, a psychologist, analyst and coach, assured DUMKA instead, that in other countries during the May holidays people “receives” even more days off than Ukrainians, and therefore we shouldn’t be afraid of “extra”, as one thinks, holidays.
“May 1 is celebrated all over the world, in almost all countries. Except for the United States, but they celebrate their Labour Day in September. And Poles, besides, rest on May 3 – as it’s the Constitution Day. So they have even more days off in May than we do because the working day of May 2 is also usually reserved. So, we do not have to be afraid of it. In fact, there are not so many days off, not more than in other European countries. Well, for example, no more than in Poland “, Igor Lubkivskii shared.
May holidays – a tool for tourism development?
Alisa Halamai, PR-manager of the data portal Doba.ua, in a commentary to DUMKA explained that the May holidays are extremely important in the context of the development of domestic tourism because on these days Ukrainians get not only an opportunity but also a certain desire and incitement to rest and get to know their country.
“May holidays play a significant role in domestic tourism. According to indicators, this period is the beginning of a high tourist season. It is obvious: Ukrainians finally have the opportunity to go on a trip with friends or family. According to the results of our research, one of the main factors that keeps people from traveling is the lack of free time.
Not everyone can take a long-term vacation or choose a convenient period of time, therefore Ukrainians often have to miss out on traveling. May days – when we have several days off, when the weather is getting warm – become a traditional and irreplaceable way to get away and relax, enjoying the spring. Therefore, their availability makes it possible for the domestic sphere of tourism to develop more actively “, Alisa Halamai is convinced.
May 1 – an International Worker’s day or time for fieldwork?
Kateryna Kryvoruchenko, a specialist of the expert-analytical center HeadHunter Ukraine, shared the results of a survey conducted by the research center of the international staff portal hh.ua with DUMKA, and said that for many Ukrainians, don’t think of May 1, as of the of International Workers’ day, but as of an occasion to relax and spend time with relatives and friends. However, many of our fellow citizens still remember and take into account the history of this holiday.
“Traditionally, May is considered to be a month with additional days off. Each year, working plans in companies are made by taking into account the May holidays. The attitude to the International Workers’ day among Ukrainian Citizens is not clear. Every tenth believes that the holiday had known better days, and does not treat it seriously. And for 38% of respondents May 1 is, first of all, an opportunity to relax and meet relatives and friends.
Traditionally, it’s getting warm at the beginning of May, and Ukrainians spend more time outdoors. Probably, that’s why more than a third of Ukrainians associate the holiday of May 1 with picnics, trips, days off with their family and friends. 27% of respondents spend the day at home. Only one out of eight respondents notices that May 1 is, first of all, the International Workers’ Day.
What is May 1 for you?
At the same time, 11% of respondents do not take the International Workers’ Day for a holiday, considering it the thing of the past, in no way connected with modern realities in the labor market. 9% of respondents planned to start the May in vegetable gardens, doing fieldwork. A very small percentage of respondents spend May 1 abroad.
What is your opinion of the fact, that May 1 may become a usual working day?
Although the attitude towards the May 1 celebration is not clear, most Ukrainians do not want to cancel the day off on this date. For them, May holidays are associated with outside activities, good mood and warm sunny weather. Every sixth respondent expresses his indifference to this issue. But 13% of Ukrainians don’t want to have long days off in May. They want to have the opportunity to work on the regular basis and not to complete the working time of holidays, if it is necessary, on Saturdays “, Kateryna Kryvoruchenko shared her point of view with DUMKA.
Too many holidays, isn’t it? And are they all appropriate nowadays?
Vitalii Golubev, secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, lecturer at the National University of Ostroh Academy and editor-in-chief of the “OGO” publishing, is convinced that the number of holidays should be significantly reduced: only three days are enough.
“Personally, I would leave no more than three days off: New Year, Christmas and Easter. One day for every holiday. Even the Independence Day may well be a working day, as for me, it is very patriotic to strengthen the native state with productive labor, and not with alcohol parties “, Golubev thinks.
The expert also believes that the current realities of Ukraine do not allow us to dream about a large number of holidays and days off. Moreover, in the opinion of Vitaliy Golubev, the best option would be to give up the fun and relatively regular rest for several years and start to work hard to put our common Ukrainian home in order.
“I understand that the statements such as” if I were a president … ” are not taken seriously, and I don’t take them so. But I would venture to express my own opinion: if I could influence the national “agenda”, I would appeal to compatriots: friends, let’s roll up the sleeves for 5 years, and will work everyone on its place in order to put our common Ukrainian home in order. And then we will celebrate: when new roads, reformed medicine and education, simplified conditions for doing business, etc. will prompt us. Because the constant celebrations (with and with no reason) weaken. Especially, considering the fact, that celebrating without vodka the vast majority of our compatriots cannot and do not want to “, Vitalii Golubev summed up.
Text: Dmitro Zhuravel
