Nowe święto 3 maja. Ustanowienie obchodów rocznicy zniesienia pańszczyzny przez Rusinów galicyjskich
A new 3 May Holiday: The establishment of the anniversary of the abolition of serfdom by the Galician Ruthenians

Summary/Abstract: On 15 May 1848, during the Spring time of Peoples, the obligation to carry out serfdom duties by the peasants of Galicia was abolished. “The Emperor’s Gift” initiated deep social and economic changes in the province. The social structure of Galician Ruthenians was based on the peasantry, and therefore the event began to be interpreted in terms of national liberation from the power of Polish landlords. The anniversary was dated on May 3, according to the Julian calendar used by the Greek Catholic Church, which is why the occasion was referred to as the “3 May Holiday.” The first anniversary of abolition was used by the Ruthenian Greek Catholic clergy to initiate the public commemorative practices. During the first celebration, the Supreme Ruthenian Council expressed the appreciation to the ruling house and performed actions aimed at integrating the gathered masses and raising their national awareness.

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