Despite this being a significant international holiday (which we should remember originated in solidarity with the 1886 Haymarket Martyrs in Chicago and the struggle for an 8-hour day), there was hardly any trace of focusing attention on the dire conditions of working people or celebrating any sort of labor movement to speak of.
However, putting aside the failure to truly mark the holiday, there is an even more important lesson and commemoration that should have been celebrated in Armenia this May 1st--which was almost equally ignored.
This May 1st marks the 1-year anniversary of the victory of Masthots Park.
After over 2-months of activists occupying the park and mass protesting against the administration's attempted construction of retail boutiques in the middle of Yerevan's few remaining green spaces, the President of the country was forced to personally come out on May 1, 2012, and call off the unlawful construction. The park was saved.
This movement was, I think, one of the most significant developments in recent Armenian history. It should by no means be glossed over.
Not only did this episode demonstrate the true power of citizens when they organize to affect change, it also instilled a completely fresh set of locally-based values and ideas which were glaringly absent from public discourse prior--ideas such as grassroots action, environmental sustainability, rule of law, and public interest over private profit.
The activists involved in the action were overwhelmingly youth. They disavowed any sort of leadership and eloquently called for citizens to take their future into their own hands. They pointed out that looking towards political leaders or saviors would not change the reality in the country. The change, they explained, starts with each and every citizen taking responsibility for themselves and making the change within them.
They also effectively shined the spotlight on the oligarchic strata running affairs in the country, getting to the root cause of problems, not just their symptoms.
Needless to say, the outpouring of support was overwhelming. Everybody from local citizens to TV personalities came out to the park to show their support. Even Diaspora organizations took note and got involved with the initiative.
And in the end, they won.
A group of youth forced the President to come to the park and call the whole scheme off.
Today, the park can be seen greener than ever, with families, couples, and visitors enjoying its tranquil environment.
It should be remembered by all who pass by and enjoy the park where that privilege comes from. It comes from the direct efforts of activists and citizens who took a stand to resist unlawful decisions being made around them.
It is my hope that the lessons of Mashtots will not be forgotten; that it's spirit will not only be carried on, but expanded and strengthened.
Perhaps it is time, from now on, to turn Labor Day in Armenia into a holiday which actually lives up to its meaning; to use the holiday to celebrate the power of popular action and the public interest.
The victory of Mashtots Park is a great place to start.
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