May 1, also known as Labour Day, has always been an important day for Slovenians (and probably of many other nations). Not only has it been marked by the fight for workers' rights, in Slovenia it is also a turning point in the meteorological calendar: on May 1, for the first time in the year, throngs of people head towards the sea, mountains and health resorts – on holiday. Work and holidays go hand in hand on May 1 in particular, and not even the epidemic has changed that. Perhaps only to the extent that after many months of working from home (from our living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and any other improvised working area), we have become all the more aware of how important it is to take a break from work.

This year, May 1 in Slovenia means also stepping up preparations for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, increasing the activities of Slovenian political representatives, which is very evident from today’s newsletter.

The epidemic is currently slowing down in Slovenia. This makes it possible to ease measures. But even in the context of the epidemic, May 1 may be a turning point. Accelerated vaccination, which is to take place in Slovenia in May, is the light at the end of the tunnel, giving us hope that life will slowly return to normal.