Budapest 150: Labor Day Celebrations on May 1

With free concerts and awareness-raising programs, the long weekend in Budapest's Városháza (‘City Hall’) Park was a classic May Day atmosphere.

On May 1 Labor Day, people gathering in the park had the opportunity to meet trade union representatives. The representatives of social workers, teachers, industrial workers and civil servants were also present.

This year's May Day celebrations in Budapest, which is 150 years old, also marked another anniversary: Hungary's accession to the European Union. It's not so much of a round number, but it's almost round, because Hungary joined the EU 19 years ago, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said. “And let's not forget that this day is basically a celebration of work, and the capital is an employer, the employer of 27,000 people. And let's not forget that there are so many workers in Budapest and in the country whose rights should be strengthened against their bosses and national politics in general," he added.

Budapest's first extraordinary May Day ended with concerts. But there were also events at other venues, including Bikás Park in Újbuda or the Városliget (‘City Park’).

This year, the Hungarian capital celebrates its 150th birthday on November 17, the date of its unification under public law. On this day, the present Budapest was created by the merger of the cities of Pest, Buda and Óbuda.