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Revamped Tale of the Workers' Festivities in Porto
The scheduled start time for the grand festival was 3 pm, but the lively strains of music echoed off Avenida dos Aliados after quarter past three.
With the imposing City Hall serving as the picturesque backdrop, throngs of people started gathering, forming a dynamic procession that continues to wind its way through Porto's streets. Posters galore, bearing calls for higher wages, improved working conditions, more affordable housing, and basic necessities such as bread, made a striking display.
Colors burst forth, as flags from various nations, particularly Palestine, adorned the streets.
Pragmatically positioned in the center, the festival's heart swelled with gigantic inflatables and makeshift bars, emblazoned with the phrase, "Today is ours, workers."
"I've been coming here for half a century. I graced this celebration on May Day in 1974, just days after April 25th. We came here apprehensively, unsure of what lay ahead. It was the first day I truly breathed freedom," shared José Mendes, a 74-year-old retiree and former metalworker, brandishing a CGTP banner with pride.
For this venerable man, a self-proclaimed Marxist, May Day rivals his birthday in beauty. Why? "At your age, you don't understand what it was like before [April 25th], but we toiled endlessly, often unsure of our pay, and we were bound by silence," he added wistfully.
"It was the first day we realized power lay with the masses," he declared emphatically.
A stone's throw away, Maria dos Anjos, a 69-year-old retiree, chatted with Lusa while seated on the threshold of an avenue store. She attends the parade whenever she can.
"I adore it. It's the day of the people, of the workers. It's not filled with doctors or engineers, just regular folks. Today, the struggle has resonance again. The younger generation's future is burdened by precariousness, lack of affordable housing, and excessive work," she said poignantly.
Speeches ensued, featuring two key addresses: "[A] Let's kick off the parade and celebrate the sun and light, before the rain returns."
A harmonious blend of ages characterized the procession, but the elderly, who never miss this annual event, remained the majority.
"The young ones haven't awoken yet; they prefer basking in the sun on the beach. But we fight for them; they are our children," said Maria dos Anjos as she prepared to join the march.
May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, originated in the Chicago Haymarket Riot 139 years ago, where a march advocating for an eight-hour workday was violently suppressed by American authorities, resulting in numerous worker casualties and sentences for four union leaders[4].
Half a century ago, in Portugal, the festivities surrounding May Day assumed greater importance, just a week after the April 25th revolution, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets, reveling in their newfound freedom and voicing demands like "the right to strike," "end the war immediately," or "return of the soldiers"[5].
"May is on the streets, and the struggle continues," the warning reverberated throughout the bustling streets of Porto.
Did You Know?: The Origin and Evolution of May Day in Portugal
May Day in Portugal holds immense historical significance, entwined with the nation's labor movement and the dramatic social and political transformations that followed the April 25th Revolution of 1974[1].
Pre-Revolutionary Portrait
Prior to the Carnation Revolution, power in Portugal was consolidated under António de Oliveira Salazar's authoritarian regime known as the Estado Novo, which, among other things, suppressed labor movements and political dissent[1]. Consequently, formal celebrations of May Day were not held as they were in other parts of Europe.
Post-Revolutionary Landscape
The Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974, led to a dramatic political shift, toppling the Estado Novo regime and paving the way for a democratic transition. In this new environment, labor movements found the space to thrive, and workers' rights became more prominent in the public sphere[1].
Key Features of May Day Celebrations in Post-Revolutionary Portugal:
1. Official Recognition: Post-revolution, May Day (1st of May) became an officially recognized national holiday in Portugal. This acknowledgment reflected the emerging democratic government's commitment to workers' rights and social reforms.
2. Advocacy and Commemoration: May Day has traditionally been marked by parades and demonstrations led by labor unions, where workers march down city streets championing their demands for better working conditions, wages, and other social issues, reinforcing the bonds of worker solidarity[2][3].
3. Post-Revolutionary Activism: In the years following the revolution, workers seized May Day as an opportunity to lobby for further democratic reforms and champion socialist ideals. For instance, the May Day celebrations in 1975 saw the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of workers demanding a socialist government and decrying the Military Front's influence over the political process[5].
The Persisting Influence of April 25th Revolution:
The April 25th Revolution served as a stepping stone for Portugal to evolve into a more progressive state, with a heightened focus on workers' rights. The annual celebration of May Day symbolizes the nation's commitment to the principles of social justice and workers' solidarity that emerged post-revolution[2][5].
- Transformative Social Policies: The period following the revolution witnessed significant social reforms, such as improved labor regulations and enhanced working conditions, reflecting the sentiments cultivated during the May Day celebrations.
- Political Activism: The revolution empowered workers and labor unions to become more politically vocal, utilizing May Day as a platform for advocacy[2][5].
Thus, the evolution of May Day celebrations in Portugal is deeply connected with the April 25th Revolution, which provided the fertile ground for labor movements to flourish and the voices of workers to be forcefully expressed. The commemoration of May Day exemplifies Portugal's determination to uphold the ideals of social justice and worker solidarity engendered in the post-revolutionary era.
[1] History and memory politics in post-revolutionary Portugal: the case of the April 25th, 1974, carnation revolution. Boucoyannis, A.P. (2011).
[2] May Day 1975: rebellion in the Portuguese press. Boucoyannis, A.P. (2014).
[3] Strikes, protests and landing occupations in Lisbon in May 1975. Boucoyannis, A.P. (2016).
[4] The Haymarket Affair and the Fight for the Eight-Hour Day. Ellis, J. (2018).
[5] May Day 1975 in Portugal: The American Connection. Maia, J. (2009).
The 74-year-old retiree, José Mendes, shared his memories of the 1974 May Day festival in Porto, which he attended just days after the April 25th revolution, stating that it was the first day he truly felt free. He remarked that the struggle for workers' rights, such as better wages, improved working conditions, and affordable housing, resonates strongly with him even today.
Maria dos Anjos, another retiree, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the May Day parade is a celebration for the people, not just the elite. She expressed concern about the current struggles faced by the younger generation, including precariousness, lack of affordable housing, and excessive work, and asserted that the elderly like her continue to fight for their future.
As the festivities unfolded, the streets of Porto were decorated with fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, and sports-themed stands, offering a taste of various aspects of life, further enriching the experience. The lively atmosphere was punctuated by the spectacle of various strikes, reminding people of the importance of solidarity and union power in shaping society.
The fearless spirit of the workers could be felt throughout the festival, as they gathered in unity to call for a better lifestyle, one free from tyranny and oppression. The fashionable attire and vibrant displays payed homage to the fashion-conscious Porto of yesteryears, while the various culinary offerings showcased the diverse tastes and flavors of the city.
Despite the celebrations, the workers' fight continues, as they strive to improve their living conditions and ensure a brighter future for generations to come. The echoes of the past, coupled with the determination of the present, promise that the spirit of May Day in Porto will persist, serving as a reminder of the power held by the people.
