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May 1 is a German holiday. This year, it just happens that Germany observes two holidays Thursday: Labor Day and Ascension Day.
Germany and other European countries always observe Labor Day on May 1. It is a legal holiday. Stores, banks and official institutions are closed.
In 1890, May 1 was proclaimed as the day of the working class by the first international workers’ congress in Paris. It was a day to fight for an eight-hour workday and other working-class rights.
Nowadays, trade unions and workers meet for assemblies, demonstrations and political speeches.
This year, Ascension Day also falls on May 1. It’s a religious holiday. The Bible says Christ’s ascent into heaven took place on the 40th day after Easter. That’s why it is always on a Thursday. First, Christians celebrated the fest together with Pentecost. Later, in the fourth century, it was observed as a holiday of its own.
Besides celebrating the church fest, Germans also recognize Father’s Day on Ascension Day. Today, the holiday is an additional day when families can do something together. They go on bike trips, hikes or have barbecues.
For years, it was customary for men, young and old, fathers and non-fathers, to meet and have fun together. They met for long walks and, to quench their thirst, they took along a decorated hand-cart filled with beer cases or kegs. Partially, the origin of that day of men dates back to the German forefathers, who in spring walked through their land and fields and asked the gods for a fertile year.
Afterwards, they had a drink together.
Since Ascension Day is an official holiday in Germany, several communities celebrate fests for the whole family.
An alternative family fest is being held at the Kaiserslautern Garden Fair. It features games, fun and information. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Jean-Schoen-Park. A family day celebration starts at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Bismarck tower in Landstuhl.
The shooting club in Bann has a fathers’ day barbecue near its club house. Another barbecue starts at 11 a.m. at the PWV hut (Hubertushütte) in Otterberg. In Olsbrücken, a forest fest is set up near the PWV hut.
