HU-Tube part 2 (Top 5 May Day Videos)

Can't imagine how all this May Day (május elseje) madness of parades and processions looked like? Never saw János Kádár, the famous Socialist leader wearing his trademark trenchcoat? Then watch these Youtube videos after listening to our May Day episode of Budacast.

1. Marching square Felvonulási tér, 1964. Well, this one is a perfect example of military presence, tacky decorations and the huge crowd that marked the Socialist parades. Note the retro typography and the spectacular globe with the ribbons. And then there's János Kádár talking about how old May Day parades differ from this one - he used to be a member of the illegal Communist movement prior to World War II and likes to remember the good old days when they "fought the enemy"

2. Janos Kadar talking Kádár Majálisa '81-'85. Unfortunately there's no video footage for this one, but it's pretty hilarious. Kádár comments the May Day parades held in Budapest with the same sentence every year. Only some of the epithets change. Note the tagline-like introduction "Those who are here can feel it, those watching it can see it". After that he says "this procession is politically engaged/enthusiastic/homely/it has a good atmosphere/it's colorful and happy."

3. Speech after the Revolution Kádár elvtárs beszéde, 1957. The first May Day parade after the short-lived revolution of 1956. Kádár's speech is a brilliant example of Socialist rhetoric. He mentions the defeat of the "counter revolution" and the advancing working class in every sentence, thus making the speech a bit scary, yet dull. It's obvious how this parade was different: no rejoicing crowd, no funny decorations.

4.In the Countryside Május 1. Szolnok, 1970. There used to be processions like this one in every major city in Hungary. This is a fragment of local news from Szolnok showing how important this event used to be: police presence, posters carefully painted by local workers, flags and signs prepared in advance for show-off. It's funny how the podium is the exact copy of the one seen in Budapest. It's just so small compared to that one...

5. Budapest Retro Budapest 1960. In the first half a minute of this mix of archive footage one can see the "live" red star, which is a spectacular gymnastic routine by children. Otherwise the video contains bits and pieces of other Socialist holidays and also everyday life accompanied by techno music.