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| Culture Class: Holidays in Bulgaria, Lesson 4- Labor Day |
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Bulgaria Series at BulgarianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Bulgarian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 4- Labor Day |
| “Labor Day” or Denyat na truda is a holiday celebrated in many countries. In Bulgaria, it’s celebrated on May 1. This day is a public holiday, and many official celebrations are organized throughout the country. Labor Day has been officially celebrated in Bulgaria since the mid-20th century. |
| In this lesson, you’ll learn exactly how Bulgarian people celebrate Labor Day. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- |
| Do you know which religious holiday is also celebrated on May 1? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening! |
| The full name of this holiday is Labor Day and International Workers’ Solidarity Day. If we look back into history, since 1945 the Communist government “celebrations” or chestvaniya of this holiday in Bulgaria manifested in significant ways, because it was connected with the “working class,” rabotnicheskata klasa, which was the basis of the ideology of that time. The celebrations were accompanied by marches in the central square. |
| Since the end of socialism, Labor Day has been celebrated in a somewhat “different way” or razlichen nachin with different mass events. However, it is still strongly associated with the socialist movement in the country. Nowadays, the celebration of May 1 is most commonly accompanied by open-air concerts. Very often folk performers and folk groups take part in the festive events which resemble “fairs,” or sabori, rather than the parades of the past. |
| In any event, Labor Day is still celebrated by a gathering of the people under the syndicate flags as well as with initiatives by the Socialist Party. In cities like Plovdiv, Ruse, and Burgas, for example, there are organized folklore festivals, labor union rallies, and many other events and even “processions,” or shestviya, along the city streets. |
| Although May 1 is Labor Day, it’s a day off and a public holiday in Bulgaria. People use this day to “rest,” or da si otpochinat, and in that way appreciate work. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Do you know which “religious” or religiozen holiday is also celebrated on May 1? |
| On the same date, the “Bulgarian Orthodox” or Pravoslavna Church celebrates the Day of St. Jeremiah the Prophet. On this day, special rituals are performed to protect the home and family from evil forces. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Do you celebrate Labor Day in your country? |
| Leave a comment letting us know at BulgarianPod101.com, |
| and we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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