Russia celebrating Spring and Labour Day

Russia is celebrating Spring and Labour Day today, May 1st. Being a traditional European spring celebration, May Day is a national public holiday in a majority of countries. The date is currently celebrated specifically as 'Labour Day' or 'International Workers' Day'. 

Moscow traditionally will meet the holiday with mass demonstrations and meetings in the city center. In total, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia said that 378 marches and 499 rallies will be held today in Russia.The chairman of Russian independent labor unions, Mikhail Shmakov, said that the events will be attended by 2 million 767 thousand people, according to data from the country's trade unions.

A march in downtown Moscow on occasion of Spring and Labor Day has drawn 130,000 people, the Russian Interior Ministry’s press service said.

"A festive demonstration organized by representatives of the Moscow Trade Union Federation is held in the center of the capital," TASS cited the press service as saying.

Police together with the National Guard and voluntary people’s patrols are ensuring security.

The demonstrators are chanting traditional slogans: "Peace, Labor, May!", "For Peace and Stability," "Jobs For the Youth," "Care About Pensioners."

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin led the march of trade unions on Red Square, promising to make every effort to improve living standards of citizens. Lawmakers of the State Duma and Moscow City Duma took part in the demonstration.

Some 3500 people are taking part in a march of the Russian Communist Party devoted to Labor Day, the Interior Ministry’s press service said.

"A march organized by the Communist Party has started in downtown Moscow and will end by a rally on Teatralnaya Square," a spokesman said.

More than 245,000 personnel of ministries, agencies and services are ensuring security, a spokesperson for the Emergencies Ministry said. Over 4400 festive events are scheduled in the Russian regions today.

A total of 735 cities and district centers will hold marches and rallies today. The largest events, in addition to the capital, are planned in Yakutsk, Krasnodar, Surgut.