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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Norway Series at NorwegianClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Norwegian holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 8 Labor Day. In Norwegian, it’s called Arbeidernes Internasjonale Kampdag.
In Norway, International Labor Day is considered a holiday, and is often also called Labor Day. It occurs every year on May 1.
In this lesson you will learn what Norwegians do on Labor Day.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
What do you think happened on Labor Day in 1980?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
The very first Labor Day was celebrated in 1890. In 1919, protesters walking in parades successfully petitioned for the the 8-hour-workday, or 8-timers arbeidsdag, as part of a program for better working conditions. In 1947, Labor Day was recognized as an official holiday by the government.
The traditional way Norwegians celebrated Labor Day used to include demonstration parades with flags, songs, and music. After this, a large meeting was held outdoors, which included both entertainment and political speeches, or politiske taler.
Today, Labor Day is still an important day in Norway, and many people continue to celebrate it by walking in demonstration parades. It may be that the day was celebrated to a greater extent in the past, but Norwegians today still continue to emphasize important values such as equality called likestilling, community or fellesskap, and solidarity or, solidaritet on this day. Songs and music are still a big part of the celebration, so it has become normal to hold free concerts in the bigger cities to maintain the tradition.
An estimated seventy percent of the Norwegian population views Labor Day as a normal day off. Most people use May 1 as a day where they can relax, do gardening or go on boat rides.
Now it's time to answer our quiz question-
What do you think happened on Labor Day in 1980?
On the night of May 1, 1980, many young people rioted, resulting in radical youth occupying buildings in cities such as Tromsø and Oslo. This was the beginning of something called the Blitz movement. The Blitz movement refers to the activities of left-wing radicals called the Blitzers.
So listeners, what did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting?
What do you do on Labor Day?
Leave us your comments at NorwegianClass101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson.

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