May Day and the State of Labor Today

Every year on May 1, a bank holiday, Berlin has its annual May Day celebrations. For over two decades, the ritual has seen the city erupt in leftist protests and demonstrations, street parties, and open-air raves. Culture Trip described May Day as “possibly the most ‘Berlin’ day.” They said, “May Day is the bizarre, politically charged celebration that starts summer with a literal bang.” We discussed the history of May Day and the ways the conditions of labor have changed in Berlin and elsewhere over the past few years.