Free from work, a trip out of town, barbecue, bike rides, walks – this are the things May holidays are associated with in Poland. But what ‘Majówka’ really is and what are Poles celebrating in this period?

‘Majówka’ is the name for the first days of the month of May, when 2 state holidays are celebrated in Poland. May 1 is the Labor Day in Poland (International Day of Solidarity of Workers). Regardless the fact that the holiday itself originates from the USA (it was first celebrated in Chicago in 1889 during a strike to introduce an 8-hour working day), the Communists decided that they would make it an annual party, and the slogans like: “Feast of the working people”, “Long live the unity of the nation” were the norm at rallies and May Day celebrations in the communist period. In Poland, the first celebrations took place in 1890, and since 1950 May 1 is the State Holiday. Although currently it is mainly remembered by older generations of Poles, it is a public holiday and a great opportunity for a longer trip out of town.

On May 1 the Catholic Church commemorates st. Joseph the Worker. The title, St Joseph the Worker, was given to St Joseph, the patron of carpenters, builders and all workers by Pope Pius XII in 1955, and the feast itself is a kind of alternative to the laic Labor Day.

May 2 is the National Flag Day of the Republic of Poland. It is a Polish holiday celebrated between State Holidays on May 1 (Labor Day) and May 3 (National Holiday of May 3). May 2 is not a State Holiday thus it’s not a free from work, but many Poles take a day off, since this date is the only day in the calendar between two public holidays.

It has become a habit that many people hang flags on their windows that day, attach white and red pins, and host various patriotic events. This day is also the Day of ‘Polonia’ (meaning people of Polish descent living outside Poland), therefore the main role of both holidays is to popularize knowledge about Polish identity and national symbols.

The next day is the National Day of the Third May. The State Holiday was established in 1919 and once again renewed in 1990, on the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of May 3 for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was adopted on that day in 1791. It is considered Europe’s first, and the world’s second, modern written national constitution, after the United States Constitution that had come into force in 1789.

The adoption of the Constitution of 3 May is usually celebrated through various types of parades, marches, sports competitions and family picnics. On the occasion of the feast, numerous marches are organized in various Polish cities. There are also official state ceremonies, which are mainly of a military nature.

Not everyone is aware of this, but May 3 it is also a church holiday, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Poland. It was established in 1920 and is celebrated only in the Polish Catholic Church. It commemorates the day when King Jan Kazimierz entrusted Poland to the protection of the Mother of God during the Swedish Deluge.

So much for the Polish ‘Majówka’. And how was your May weekend this year?