Russian Holidays

In the Soviet Union, this holiday was called the Day of International Solidarity of Workers and was devoted to workers’ struggle for their rights. In modern Russia, this day has lost its political overtones, so for most Russians it’s just the May holidays – a time for picnics and the opening of the summer season. Trains are overcrowded on these days with people hurrying to their dacha (summer house) plots (with their ever-present seedlings), so travelling with them is best avoided.

It should be noted that 1 May is an official day off in almost all institutions.