Italian Labor Day

Italian Labor Day

(Man with tri-color beard for Italian Labor Day)

Today was a very hectic and crowded day in Rome. May 1st is the Italian equivalent of Labor Day. Every year the three biggest unions in Italy hold a free outdoor concert in the center of Rome. Also in honor of this holiday, all of the museums owned by the City of Rome (opposed to those owned by the State of Italy) are only one euro today and tomorrow. To top it all off, the Vatican chose to hold the Beatification (first step in becoming a saint) of the late Pope John Paul II this same day. Most Italians thought I was crazy for wanting to be anywhere near the center (think someone from NJ’s reaction to the idea of going to NYC for NYE), but how could I miss all of this?

I went to the Museo di Roma – Palazzo Braschi with Daniele earlier in the morning. I liked it. It told a good story of the different periods of Rome, opposed to focusing on only one. Also it was not just room after room of “Madonna with Child” like so many Italian museums.

We avoided going too close to the Vatican and the Beatification of the late Pope John Paul II. I feel like they could have planned better and chosen a better day, but I’m sure the day has spiritual significance for this sacred ceremony that I am not aware. Most Italians I know chose not to attend and only commented on what a nuisance it was going to be having so many people coming to Rome. It may have been a cool thing to say I was there for, but I’m not that interested in Vatican affairs, so I skipped this to go to the one euro museums and free concert instead.

Daniele headed off to work and I spent the day at this outdoor concert. All of Italy’s biggest artists come to this. The lesser known or newer artists play in the day; the big names play at night. Italians pack into Piazza di Porta San Giovanni and all the space around it. Men from Africa and Bangladesh push through the crowds offering to sell beer, water, or umbrellas for the sun.

I saw almost the whole concert, I was there from about 1:30 PM until it ended at 1:30 AM. In hindsight I should have probably gone to another museum or something else instead of spending so much time there. I left for a little while when I got uncomfortable sitting on the ground. Daniele and I met back up at 10 PM, when he got out of work and we had dinner. When we came back enough people had left that we were able to go right up front. Woo!

The bands and the music were almost all Italian pop. In general each artist came on, performed maybe three numbers, then there was a ridiculously long pause where someone would talk before the next artist. I didn’t really listen, but I presume it was pro-union propaganda. I know very few of the artists, but I listen to enough radio that I recognized a fair amount of the songs, which was fun.

The crowd was largely composed of what I will refer to as European hippies. That is hippies in the modern sense of the word: slightly dirty, typically young people, with dread locks, who may or may not be fighting for a cause. And if you think the American version of these people are dirty, imagine for a moment their European counterparts (you don’t have to imagine, I took pictures). Many of these people had shirts promoting some political message. All of them and most of the “regular” people at the concert were wearing “Stop Nuclear” stickers.

(There were dirtier groups, but I try not to get too close to anyone that might have something contagious while I’m traveling.)

As a back story, as few years ago Italy voted to not allow the development of nuclear power plants and today there are none in the country. As such, they have to buy much of their energy from abroad. A great deal of that comes from France, who has plenty of nuclear power plants, a fair amount of which are right on the Italian boarder. So the risk is still there, but they pay more and to France at that. For to this reason there is a bill now to allow nuclear plants in Italy. However many oppose it and want to keep it out of Italy. End side note.

I always considered Europe ahead of the US in terms of environmental awareness. But I was shocked… SHOCKED at what I saw at this concert. These same people who were wearing “Stop Nuclear” stickers, where tossing the “Stop Nuclear” fliers on the ground; along with other political and environmental fliers and newspapers. All the beer and water that everyone was drinking, the bottles were left right were they were, at most they ended up at a curb. What angered me the most was hundreds of “RAI Radio 2” balloons were handed out to the crowd on only strings. They all quickly ended up in the sky, and soon they will all be in the ocean. Moments after the concert ended the area was filled with machinery and workers who would stay up all night cleaning the mess. They actually used plows to pile the beer and water bottles, effective, except when the tires go over the missed bottles and shoot broken glass to the side. I was taking some pictures after the last act, but literally had to run, yes run, from flying broken glass as the plows started the cleaning. I think every worker in Rome was out sweeping and hosing for miles around– I have never seen such a mess.

(These people must really, really care about the environment to hand out all those fliers)

Umm, guys, I think you forgot your trash…

Run for your lives!

All the pictures from the day:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111221349198606775660/20110501LaborDay#

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail

36 Responses to Italian Labor Day

  1. Learn More says:

    I simply want to tell you that I am just all new to weblog and actually loved this website. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have impressive article content. Cheers for revealing your website page.

  2. After looking at a few of the blog articles on your site, I honestly like your way of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my website as well and tell me what you think.

  3. I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

  4. Might be practically impossible to come across well-educated individual on this matter, however you come across as like you are familiar with whatever you’re writing about! Thank You

  5. Seriously motivating information that you have said, thanks so much for adding.

  6. you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?

  7. Renee Mochel says:

    Might be mostly not possible to see well-updated individual on this subject, although you look like you fully grasp what you’re preaching about! Excellent

  8. Hi there, You have done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.

  9. Shawn Glaves says:

    Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

  10. It truly is near extremely difficult to come across well-advised men and women on this subject, in addition you look like you realize exactly what you’re indicating! Cheers

  11. We merely need to reveal to you that I am inexperienced to writing and certainly liked your site. Probably I am most likely to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have superb article subject. Truly Appreciate it for expressing with us your internet post.

  12. It truly is near impossible to see well-updated people on this issue, even though you come across as like you be aware of what you’re preaching about! Thank You

  13. You’ll find it practically close to impossible to come across well-updated users on this area, however, you appear like you be aware of which you’re talking about! Thanks

  14. Check us out on Twitter and Facebook, We are the biggest polygamy dating website!

  15. I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  16. It’s actually near close to impossible to come across well-qualified users on this issue, nevertheless you look like you fully understand the things that you’re covering! Appreciate It

  17. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

  18. I merely want to reveal to you which I am novice to writing a blog and genuinely admired your site. Likely I am prone to bookmark your article post . You undoubtedly have amazing article material. Like it for share-out with us your internet information.

  19. It’s an amazing piece of writing in favor of all the web visitors; they will obtain benefit from it I am sure.|

  20. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  21. It can be practically extremely difficult to find well-advised people on this issue, even though you come across as like you understand exactly what you’re preaching about! Thanks A Lot

  22. Absolutely compelling elements you have mentioned, many thanks for publishing.

  23. Might be almost not possible to come across well-updated americans on this content, nevertheless you come across as like you are familiar with the things that you’re writing about! Thanks A Lot

  24. Orpha Weihl says:

    Might be nearly close to impossible to see well-qualified women and men on this theme, still, you look like you know what exactly you’re indicating! Appreciate It

  25. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  26. We merely wish to show you in which I am certain inexperienced to wordpress blogging and thoroughly enjoyed your review. Likely I am likely to bookmark your article post . You certainly have fabulous article topic. Love it for telling with us your site post.

  27. It is actually near not possible to see well-qualified readers on this subject, still, you come across as like you be aware of which you’re raving about! Gratitude

  28. Hi, I read your blog daily. Your writing style is awesome, keep it up!

  29. Landon Jew says:

    Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  30. It really is practically extremely difficult to encounter well-advised readers on this area, regrettably you appear like you know the things you’re posting on! Many Thanks

  31. homebuilders says:

    Very nice article. I definitely love this site. Continue the good work!|

  32. You’ll find it almost extremely difficult to come across well-updated people on this theme, regrettably you come across as like you realize which you’re posting on! Bless You

  33. Might be near close to impossible to see well-qualified parties on this subject, unfortunately you come across as like you fully understand what you’re revealing! Bless You

  34. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  35. It truly is practically not possible to come across well-educated individual on this theme, still you come across as like you understand whatever you’re writing about! With Thanks

  36. broadband says:

    Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.|

Leave a Reply to Orpha Weihl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *