1 Maj - Arbejdernes kampdag

May 1st  1 May is International Workers' Day in many counties in Europe (and around the world) that celebrates the achievements of workers, such as 8 hour work days, unions, etc. DTU has off that day, so we worked from home until we headed over to the celebrations in Fælledparken with a good number of Copenhageners. Below is the English Wikipedia article about the holiday (the translated Danish page is hard to read, but feel free to read the 1 Maj website here or read about holidays here).

"Left-wing political day. Many people try to get a day off this day, and some even have it in their employment contract. Many people attend political meetings in the morning arranged by the labour unions or the labour parties, afterwards demonstrations are held all over the country, going from the place of the meeting and joining each other along the way to a joint meeting place, often a park. The demonstrations can differ in size from a few hundred to ten-thousands depending on the city and organization. The day is also known as "Arbejdernes kamp og festdag" (Workers day of struggle and celebration) referring to the celebration of the past victories of the workers movement, especially the 8-hours working day. Many, both families and young people, meet at the sites of the political meetings holding picnics and drink beer and other alcoholic beverages. Copenhagen's Fælledparken is well known for its annual May 1 celebrations, gathering an average of a hundred thousand people at the meeting of the central Labour Union "LO". This is a full holiday for blue collar workers, but not for white collar workers."

It was great seeing so many people come out to celebrate. Not sure how many were there for the political rallies, but how can you turn down an opportunity to have a picnic and drink beer?

I was trying to capture the parade of folks possibly from Christiania, but it also captures the beauty of the park entrance. 

Copenhageners enjoying the sunshine and the political speeches - including one by Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt of the Social Democrat party. I couldn't really hear what she was saying because (1) she was overwhelmed by whistles and (2) she was speaking Danish. 

Doing what the Danes do with some Danish beer

A sign that translates to "The only whistle blower we accept is Edward Snowden - Liberal Party Youth"

Main stage hosted by the Social Democrats - the banners translate to "Are you okay?" I think it refers to a union.

so bright

Danish ska band, Von Dü, playing on the stage (watch one of their videos) - although there might be some controversy about their lyrics... 

The red stage - communists I think?

Peaking through the back of the stage to the band

Playing a fun game we've been seeing all over. There are two teams of two people. One person throws something (a shoe, a wallet, whatever is around) at an empty bottle in between the two teams. If you knock it down you get to drink as much as you can before the other team puts the bottle upright. So unlike most American games, the goal is to drink as much as possible, not the punishment (ie. beer pong). I'm expecting to play this summer.