This year, our May Day commemoration will be unusual again. The main idea is that we consider work to be only a part of our lives, and the historic struggle for less time spent at work must not stop at eight hours a day. In this - and any better world - that is simply too much. What does art have to do with it? Quite a lot. For example, it often arises, like our struggles, precisely out of feelings of anger and injustice. Therefore, we commemorate this year's May Day as a symbol of the struggle that transcends the boundaries dictated by the state and capitalism, even in art. There are many examples of such attitudes in art. Today we have selected a slam poetry performance (not only) about work (https://youtu.be/7_GLVJxREQk?si=iKT_-3t3HGz9dXYLe) by the slam poet Jánoš who is also involved in the Podchody music project, whose recording Priechody pre chodcov (Pedestrian Crossings) (podchody.bandcamp.com/album/priechody-pre-chodcov) is a fundraiser in support of Priama Akcia union.
Start
We all started from the same line
only me with a lame leg
and that one in daddy's Mercedes
We all had the same chances
I repeat to myself and run
I don't look back
behind me there are only cripples and the homeless
Everybody has a chance to have a home
everybody has a chance to be homeless
how come those that are left behind
are always the poorest ‘scum’?
Can't they embrace freedom?
Can't they enjoy freedom?
Freedom to grope your crotch eight hours a day
democracy that has no place behind the door
behind the door of the workplace
‘Behind the door of your room you may beautifully...’
me under you, you on top of me
me under you, you on top of me
me under you
just the way you, just the way you want it boss!
I'll thank you for the wages
to the bank for a small percentage of credit
believe or not this fictitious doped-up tragicomedy
high on crack before it was even born
believe in the only truth about the best of all possible systems
But even for those who are ahead from the start
this society has invented something
that will kill their boredom
buying experiences
I offer such, too
come to Bardejov
get a job as a seamstress
get a mortgage, buy an apartment
inferior work?
but there are no naked people running in the street
inferior work
when your wage is less
than the price of your boss's dress
inferior work
don't wise up because I'll pack up
and it is even cheaper in the east
and you, dude, who needs to drive the most powerful cars
try to produce at least a piece of one
come to Bardejov
not a piece of shit is produced there
from there, you can go to the west
or to the Czech Republic or somewhere west, and there you can produce for yourself
It's easy
you take one piece, put it in the machine
press two buttons and take it out
left in – two buttons – right out
left in – two buttons – boring
left in – two buttons – boring
don't worry, in an hour someone will replace you
and you'll move behind another machine
it might be easier there
left in – do not press buttons – right out
left in – do not press buttons – right out
left in – do not – do not – do not touch!
here's the safety screen
you touch it, the line stops
those who work here longer of course know
when to touch it
they stop and can go for a joint, a coffee... for a break
but we'll talk about sabotage some other time
so left in – do not push – right out
The song you heard on the radio this morning is playing in your head
‘My love, I groan, my pride I only played, for you I give up my throne,
jewels and cathedrals, my love I groan, my pride I only played, for you I give up...’
my love, I groan, my pride I only...
my love, I groan; my,
my love, my love, my love...
All day long the same song
all day long the same job
all around
you are doing it without realizing it
nobody here cares what's running through your head
Don't talk and work!
is the motto of the day
only two breaks, a couple of toilet visits,
until someone replaces you
then you can go fuck yourself
to the workers dorm
there, you‘ll have a beer
make dinner, have a beer
and you can go to sleep
in the morning again
my love, I groan
and at the end of the shift, just ‘Lean on me...’
and on the night shift, a bonus comes up
‘Long night...’
Behind the doors of the workplace, dogs shit on playgrounds
behind the doors of the workplace, you buy your wages
you sell your health
your time and your dignity
behind the doors of the workplace
me under you, you top of me
me under you, you top of me
me under you...
but fucking enough already, boss
