May 1st isn’t known internationally as the Love Day, and it isn’t really called the Love Day in official calendars either. But, in Prague this is often referred to as the Love-day, so get ready to kiss your loved one if you visit Prague on this special day!
Yes, May 1st is referred to as the Labour Day. But, due to a very special poem that the Czech people hold dear to their hearts, this day is now a day of love instead.
The poem was written by Karel Hynek Macha and the first lines go like this:
It was late evening, on the first of May,
Karel Hynek Macha
The eve of May was the time of love.
The turtle-dove´s voice called to love,
Where rich and sweet pinewoods lay.
The tradition has it so that a girl needs to be kissed under a blossoming tree or something like that in order to stay beautiful for the rest of the year.
However, the biggest tradition is to visit the Petrin Hill and kiss in front of the Karel Hynek Macha statue right there. This is a place worth visiting no matter what, and going there to give or get a special kiss makes it even more worth the ride.
What about Labour day?
May 1st is a national holiday in the Czech Republic, meaning that people don’t work on this day. There are a few political demonstrations, but in general, May 1st is simply a nice day off and a day of love for the people in Prague!
Other programs in Prague?
If you plan on spending a romantic day in Prague on May 1st, why not book a river cruise with dinner, or maybe a Czech beer dinner to give the day a worthy finish? You can read more about such and other programs here in our Prague Guide.
