It's May, it's day and it's wonderful. Pretty much everywhere else in the world except in the U.S May 1st is a huge global celebration for Labor and Worker Rights. As the International Worker's Day, this day in Denmark is apparently a big deal. Politicallty, on May 1st the anarchists, communists, and marxists come out to play on the celebrations so that the extremist parts of the political spectrum can have a platform to have their voices heard. But in reality, May Day is just another excuse Danes have to enjoy a day without work and party/drink in the city’s largest public park. Like the Danes need more time to do that (shockers!). Everyone kept saying that on May Day we HAD to go to the park with drinks and some good vibes. It was the thing to do. How was it different than any other day in the history of Denmark I still didn't understand. But boy oh boy Copenhagen showed me how... May 1st is traditionally a day when the crowds gather in Fælledparken, pretty close to my school through a short bike ride. The political parties give speeches, the labor unions are represented and everyone gets stone drunk in the afternoon. Basically, my dream. The only thing better than daydrinking, is daydrinking for a political vision. Sure the stump speeches by mainstream as well as fringe political parties are allowed throughout the afternoon, but when the politics get old, live music, beer vendors, and hot dog wagons came to take over.
But I quickly learned that the event is so much more than having the most enjoyable time with your friends under the sun. For decades, workers, students and dedicated socialists have gathered in Fælledparken to listen to the speeches, wave red flags and earnestly discuss the state of worker's rights. It was basically just a message to end capitalism, not let it run our lives. That is something I can get behind. Since I wanted to have the full experience the Danish way I tagged along with my Danish friend and we went to the Anti-Fascist Action march. Besides the interesting and awesome punk youth activists that were in the march, there was an overall vibe of revolution that I never in a million years thought I was going to find in Denmark. We hear about a happy country where everyone prances around windmills and smiles into the perfect sunsets at the end of the day. Pretty much I had joined a march that was very controversial and politically charged, things are not as perfect as they seem, even here there are people fighting for important issues. But at the same time everything was rather peaceful so it was cute that they categorized themselves as extreme. The main issues was not only Anti-Fascism and Worker's Rights, the activists goal was to show up to the Prime Minister's speech with whistles and interrupt her speech. Over the last couple years, these activist have felt that some of the measures that have been passed by the Prime Minister have been leaving behind workers rights and welcoming corporate support. In this way the activist felt cheated that the minister they had elected is perhaps doing measures that contradict her position as a Social Democrat. The slogan they would scream would be 'Social Democracy, class betrayal' as they marched down the streets of Copenhagen. For me, it was interesting to see how youth activism can become important in the discourse of politics in Denmark. I don't know much of the political climate in Denmark but being a part of the whistling and the march gave me insights into their political parties and ideologies. While the minister was speaking and all the activists were whistling you truly could hear nothing. There were a lot of tensions, some fights almost break out, smoke bombs were lit, but not thrown, a lot of banners, many people screaming, there was a lot of media coverage of the event, and there was a lot of emotions being charged. All while the Prime Minister spoke. What an experience, and I was in the middle of it all!
But I quickly learned that the event is so much more than having the most enjoyable time with your friends under the sun. For decades, workers, students and dedicated socialists have gathered in Fælledparken to listen to the speeches, wave red flags and earnestly discuss the state of worker's rights. It was basically just a message to end capitalism, not let it run our lives. That is something I can get behind. Since I wanted to have the full experience the Danish way I tagged along with my Danish friend and we went to the Anti-Fascist Action march. Besides the interesting and awesome punk youth activists that were in the march, there was an overall vibe of revolution that I never in a million years thought I was going to find in Denmark. We hear about a happy country where everyone prances around windmills and smiles into the perfect sunsets at the end of the day. Pretty much I had joined a march that was very controversial and politically charged, things are not as perfect as they seem, even here there are people fighting for important issues. But at the same time everything was rather peaceful so it was cute that they categorized themselves as extreme. The main issues was not only Anti-Fascism and Worker's Rights, the activists goal was to show up to the Prime Minister's speech with whistles and interrupt her speech. Over the last couple years, these activist have felt that some of the measures that have been passed by the Prime Minister have been leaving behind workers rights and welcoming corporate support. In this way the activist felt cheated that the minister they had elected is perhaps doing measures that contradict her position as a Social Democrat. The slogan they would scream would be 'Social Democracy, class betrayal' as they marched down the streets of Copenhagen. For me, it was interesting to see how youth activism can become important in the discourse of politics in Denmark. I don't know much of the political climate in Denmark but being a part of the whistling and the march gave me insights into their political parties and ideologies. While the minister was speaking and all the activists were whistling you truly could hear nothing. There were a lot of tensions, some fights almost break out, smoke bombs were lit, but not thrown, a lot of banners, many people screaming, there was a lot of media coverage of the event, and there was a lot of emotions being charged. All while the Prime Minister spoke. What an experience, and I was in the middle of it all!
As soon as the speech ended the rest of the day was quite literally the exact opposite of that. I found it funny that as quickly as the Danes could get politically active and passionate they also waste no time in claiming a spot of open grass and get down with their friends for an enjoyable day under the sun. I think perhaps all of Copenhagen was at this park on May 1st, there were people everywhere and anywhere. You have work, class, or any other adult responsibilities that require you to not be at this park on May 1st? Throw them to the wind and get your butt to the park, no shame no fun. That was the mantra. I found my group of friends from the cafe I work at and we gathered for quirky shenanigans under the sun, story telling, and laughter. From 10AM to 5PM I experienced everything that Copenhagen melts my heart for. The great company was definitely worth it, with the vibes of the people around us as a contagious inspiration to have a good time. Everyone had brought their blankets to the park. Other people had even brought bbqs, which made it all smell fantastic. Others had boom boxes and speakers. There was wine and crackers for the fancy souls, and there was also beers and hot dogs for the fun at heart. Everyone was here, everyone was excited, everyone was enjoying it. Check us being hip and happening:
At some point some guys we knew had come and brought their instruments. They played funky vintage jazz beats that got me all excited. We were all drinking Cider which I can't understand why isn't it massproduced and sold in America already. It's so delicious and makes you feel so fun. Out of nowhere an wild orange donkey appear, just like a pokemon. Music, sun, a colorful donkey, warm weather and friends. Suddenly I realized just why I don't wanna leave Denmark!