May Day is peak "promenading" season for locals who dress up to walk the city's tree-lined streets. Derybasivska Street Notable street
Controversially, the "best" moments were often the most tense. In 2009, the city government tried to ban the event. The result? 1,500 naked protesters stood silently facing a line of 200 OMON (riot police). The police didn't know where to look. The standoff ended with the police turning their backs and marching away. That photograph remains the definitive image of the tradition. naked may day in odessa best
Traditionally, May 1 is a public holiday in Ukraine (and formerly across the Soviet Union) known as the Spring and Labor Festival Atmosphere May Day is peak "promenading" season for locals
Not all Naked May Days are created equal. Searching for the "best" imagery or historical moment? Look for these markers: The result
: While not a formal event, May 1st often serves as the unofficial opening of the season for Odessa’s famous nudist beaches, such as the one located near the Chkalovsky Sanatorium