As with many other Eastern European countries, May 1 is celebrated in Romania as an annual holiday dedicated to workers. As one of the biggest secular holidays each year, May 1 usually plays host to countless festivals and varied types of celebrations across the country.
Known by the current name of Ziua Muncii, this special day can be traced back to a combination of influences, but its current incarnation is much different. It is still loosely tied to praising workers for their contributions to society at large, but Romanians today feel less of a patriotic connection to the holiday, possibly because of its history.
The Origins of May 1
In many pre-Christian cultures in Europe, May 1 was thought to be the first day of summer and many traditions and rituals took place to celebrate the new year’s flowers and other plants coming into bloom. However, the idea behind the Labor Day in Romania and many other Eastern European countries was changed dramatically in the country’s communist period. It is during this time that the holiday took on the connection with workers and it was celebrated as a triumph of the political ideology. While it is still recognized as Labor Day, this connection has all but disappeared and the celebrations now have little to do with any of their earlier influences.
How to Celebrate
Depending on your age, how you celebrate May1 could be very different. Traditional folk festivals are often attended by the older crowd, but younger Romanians usually have a different idea about how they would like to spend the holiday. The classic choice is a trip to the seaside towns of Vama Veche, Mamaia, or Costinesti for a party that could last much longer than just one day. In Vama Veche, revelers often choose not to splurge on a hotel room and simply pitch a tent in special areas of the sandy beach. For a bit of a quieter time, the mountains may be a good choice, but accommodation could be hard to find and quite expensive as the day draws near.
No May 1 celebration would be complete without food, preferably meats grilled over an open fire. The Romanian dish of choice for this day is mititei, a minced meat roll that is usually served with mustard, bread, and some form of potatoes. Also known by the name of mici, these rolls feature a combination of lamb, beef, and pork with a few condiments like thyme, pepper, and garlic for added flavor. Although mici can be eaten any time of year, the ritual grilling on May 1 and festive atmosphere make them taste better than on any other day.
If you’re in Romania for May 1, there will be no possible way to miss the celebrations. In every town across the country, holiday activities will be planned and people will take to the streets. While many people may not have a clear idea of the underlying reasons for celebrating, the warm weather and a few pints of beer are often more than enough to give any event a positive attitude.