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Welcome to the only day of the year (except May 17th) when the people of Bergen voluntarily march in a parade, and it’s not because it’s the Norwegian soccer championship or there’s free beer afterwards. May 1st is here, and with it comes the annual mix of class struggle, rain, and a dose of collective self-deception that “this year we’re really going to take working life seriously.”

In Bergen, May 1st is a day full of charm and peculiarity. Out of nowhere, everyone’s gathering at Torgallmenningen, rocking red shirts they only wear when they’re painting their cabins. The speakers talk about justice, wages, and solidarity, and the weather is usually pretty typical of Bergen, with a light drizzle. But there they are, standing there with an umbrella in one hand and a red flag in the other. It’s almost touching.

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It all started back in 1890 with people demanding an eight-hour workday, and the people of Bergen have been a part of it ever since. It was a real struggle back then. These days, it’s more about getting a day off, chowing down on a hot dog, and hoping no co-worker snaps a pic of you that ends up on the intranet with the caption “Active in the labor movement.”

May 1st is a big day in Norway, especially in Bergen.

Here in the west, we celebrate the day with classic Bergen enthusiasm: half-hearted, but with a good sense of humor. You’ve got union leaders talking about pension reforms, while folks in the crowd are whispering, “Do you think there’ll be beer at Zachariasbryggen afterwards?”

It always rains right when the speech is at its best. Then it’s typical of Bergen to mutter “That’s just typical” while pulling your jacket a little tighter around you and pretending you’re still listening. Still, there’s something nice about standing there together and pretending we’re all revolutionaries for 45 minutes before we go home and complain that the stores are closed.

The Rest of the World: From Revolution to May Day and Total Madness

May 1st is different outside of Norway. In a lot of countries, it’s still a big deal: huge parades, red flags everywhere you look, and speeches that even the most jaded Bergen native would think, “Wow, they really mean this.”

In Latin America and Southern Europe, people are marching in huge processions asking for real change. In France, they strike almost on principle—it’s like a national pastime. In Sweden and Finland, they celebrate “Vappu” with student caps, champagne, and a party so wild that it almost seems like they’ve forgotten it’s actually about workers’ rights.

And then there’s the cozy version: England and Germany are basically dancing around with a maypole, acting like it’s not political at all. “We’re just celebrating spring!” they say, discreetly wearing a red scarf somewhere.

In some countries, they light Walpurgis bonfires to chase away the witches. After some May Day speeches here at home, we could have used a bonfire like that in Bergen, too. It might’ve helped with the rain and the bureaucracy.

Why does it matter? (Or, why do we even bother?)

In a time when flexible work often means “you can work anytime, including at 11 p.m. on a Sunday,” it’s good to remember that the eight-hour workday didn’t just appear out of thin air. Some people marched for it. In the rain. In Bergen. Respect.
At the same time, it’s okay to laugh a little at the fact that we mark the workers’ struggle by taking the day off from work. It’s almost poetic.

For a lot of people in Bergen, May 1st is all about the rain finally stopping. That alone is a reason to celebrate.

Happy May 1st!

Whether you’re marching with a red flag, chilling in the garden (if the weather’s nice), or just enjoying a rare day off, there’s something nice about the whole world coming to a standstill on the same day.

So raise your coffee cup (or a “Hansa,” if that’s your thing) to everyone who actually keeps society running. And to spring. It deserves a shot, even in Bergen.

Happy May Day, and good luck keeping the flag dry!

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Written by Dave 1. May 2026