Celebrating Labor Day 2023

“For my grandfather, labor day was the most important holiday of the year. He was a very proud railway worker (steam engine machinist) and a passionate union member for most of his life. So, on this day, I remember him, normally black from soot and oil, as he is the man who took over the role of a father for me and my sister. Dressed in his best suit and went with us out for lunch. We continue this tradition and after a long walk we have tea or coffee at home – and always a freshly baked “Striezel” (Hefezopf), which was one of his favorite homemade pastries (or is it bread?)”

“On May Day I really enjoy going to my favorite Heuriger (a local Austrian tavern), if they are open. I’ll enjoy a fruit Bowle (a punch) with my meal and afterward, have a Punschkrapfen (a nougat and jam-filled sponge cake) with no guilt. If they are closed, a long walk in the Setagayapark, a blooming Japanese garden in Vienna with some vegan ice cream, will ensure the day is relaxing and fun.”

“I’ll be partying it up at the traditional Hexennacht shindig at Rhinekilometer 550 in the Middle Rhine Valley. We’re talking music, dance, wine, and a crowd of happy people kicking off the warm outside season! The best part? We’re inaugurating the season’s Weinhexe (wine witch) – how cool is that? I can’t wait to join in the festivities, let loose, and soak up the community spirit of this awesome event.”

 I don’t really do anything special on May 1st, just the same I would do on any other unexpected day off: go for a nice long walk, have some good food, enjoy some time gaming with friends.

“This year we have a “Feuerwehrheurigen”. The fire department prepares games for children, such as splashing water, sitting in the fire truck, and the most famous part: building and climbing the highest tower made of crate (crate stacking). We also eat traditional “Wiener Schnitzel” or “Grillhendl”. In late afternoon the fireman set up the “Maibaum” (the May tree). Then we relax while drinking wine from the winemaker of the village and eating the typical food of a Heuriger.”

“Up here in the north we call it “Tanz in den Mai”! The “Maibaum” will be set up at our “Dorfplatz” and then there will be a big party tent and lots of food and drink trucks around. So that means a lot of talking, drinking, eating and of course dancing (there is a band) into the May. All that happens the night earlier. On May 1st you can come back (which is about 1minute from our house) for “Frühschoppen” => we usually skip that and get into our garden to enjoy the weather (hopefully), a bit of gardening and finally a nice BBQ with the Family”

“May 1^st is officially marked as the day of labour in the Netherlands but not something that is actively celebrated tbh. For me and for most it’s simply a normal working day and in general there aren’t many activities organized. This is partly due to our political system and partly because we have several national holidays around the same time, with one big one: Kings Day (formerly Queens day). This is traditionally held on the birthday of the reigning monarch and was set to April 30^th in 1949 with then queen Juliana’s birthday and kept on April 30^th by her daughter Beatrix when she took over because her birthday was in January (which is not a particularly good time for outdoor celebrations). In 2013 King Willem Alexander took over, and as his birthday is on April 27^th we now celebrate it a few days earlier. So for the last 80+ years or so we have a celebration at the end of April instead of May 1st. Kings Day celebrates our national identity with everyone wearing weird orange outfits (referring to the royal household’s last name: Van Oranje) but also kind of marks the start of spring/summer with lots of outdoor activities and music. I tend to spend Kings Day visiting music festivals, outdoor markets and just enjoying the day with friends. And of course, we have to have the typical Kings Day treat: An orange tompouce (pastry)!”