The month of May starts with a series of days off throughout Ukraine. For about a week, the whole country stops working to celebrate two of the most popular local holidays.

May 1 (and usually May 2) is Labor Day, originally known as the Day of International Solidarity of Workers. It was established during Soviet times to celebrate the labor of workers and members of collective farms. Once a holiday of big parades, red banners, and bright balloons, Labor Day in Ukraine these days is regarded as an opportunity to rest, visit with the family and oftentimes have a picnic in the forest. Local governments may also provide citizens with free outdoor concerts and various kinds of entertainment for those taking a walk in the city. An alternative activity for many Ukrainians is starting the season of planting potatoes at their country gardens known as dachas.

On May 9, Victory Day, Ukrainians celebrate the victory over the Nazis in 1945. Since basically every family was in one way or another scarred by the Great Patriotic War (or WWII), this holiday is the time of looking at old pictures and telling stories. The day starts with parades downtown and ends with fireworks. Not as big in number as before, World War II veterans wear their old soldier's uniform and their medals. They are congratulated with flowers and invited to give speeches at local schools. TV broadcasts Soviet dramas and comedies about the war, the remakes of songs from the 1940s and 50s fill the radio, and flowers are taken to Kyiv's numerous war memorials.

For many Ukrainians, the May holidays are also a popular season of camping in Crimea and the Carpathian mountains. Whatever the choice for a holiday activity is, the first week of May is certainly the busiest time of traveling. Train tickets to every location are bought out long in advance.

Posted 09 May 2006