Apogeum i kres stalinowskich obchodów Święta Pracy na Śląsku Opolskim (część 2)
The apogee and the end of the Stalinist celebrations of labour day in Opole Voivodeship (part 2)

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the course of the May Day celebrations in Opole Silesia. Starting early in the morning on the Labourers’ Day, propaganda slogans and reports of accomplished May Day actions were broadcast, and delegates from various workplaces, organisations and institutions gathered in order to participate in the manifestations. The main, culminating point of the celebration agenda was the parade which set off after the speeches delivered by the representatives of the party authorities. The parades were organised in all the cities and all the commune centres. The parade in Opole had the largest number of participants in the region – in 1955, it gathered 50,000 people. Individual workplaces, institutions, sportspeople, the army, the youth, and predominantly schools presented themselves in the march. The parade was enriched with various props, such as banners, slogans, scale models, portraits, or caricatures used to ridicule political enemies. Te economic achievements of the region were displayed on graphs and models. Sketches, special choreography, dances and attires were prepared. The participation in the parades was compulsory, and they lacked spontaneity. Each element of the parade was determined in advance and imposed, and the society treated active participation at the manifestations with reluctance.

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