Labour Day celebrations in Slovenia are traditionally associated with bonfires, brass band performances, maypoles and mass gatherings, and this year is no different.

As the dark fell on the eve of Labour Day, hundreds of bonfires were lit across the country. Crowds big and small gathered around them to celebrate, many with live music, protest songs and barbecue food.

In the morning many a Slovenian would wake up to reveille as brass bands toured towns and villages in another traditional custom that is still very much alive.

One of the biggest events, the bonfire celebration on Ljubljana's Rožnik Hill heard trade union officials underscore the importance of workers' solidarity and equality.

"At a time of many different social upheavals, in Slovenia and abroad, our core message for this year's Labour Day highlights the importance of solidarity, empathy, unity, understanding and respect - for ourselves, others and those different than us," the country's largest confederation of trade unions, ZSSS, said.

In the wake of reports about alleged labour violations involving third country nationals, the trade unions called on workers to stand up for their co-workers regardless of their nationality, race or any other social category. "We're all workers and together we can create a better tomorrow, a better society and a better world. We deserve it."

Another group of unions, KSJS, raised the government's plans to increase defence spending, urging unions to join forces and protect the interests of workers.

Synonymous with International Workers' Day, Labour Day is celebrated with two work-free days in Slovenia on 1 and 2 May, a rare occurrence worldwide that stems from the country's past as part of the socialist Yugoslavia.

Commemorating a general strike in the US, which began on 1 May 1886 and culminated in the Haymarket riot three days later, International Workers' Day has been observed in Slovenia since the early 20th century, and became a public holiday in 1948.