University of Helsinki
Spring has now finally arrived in Finland and with it, of course, the big carnevalistic spring celebration: Vappu. For many students it is the highlight of the year. On the 30th of April and 1st of May you can see people wearing the Finnish student cap, ylioppilaslakki, and students wearing overalls and doing silly things all over Helsinki. The celebration begins on Tuesday afternoon and continues all Wednesday. Here follows some practical info and tips to help you to experience the best of it:
On the 30th of April:
A lot of student organizations have some punsch in the afternoon to toast to Vappu. Before 6 p.m. people gather by the Havis Amanda statue (in the end of the Esplanade next to the Kauppatori) in order to watch her crowning with a Finnish student cap. In Finland, we usually drink sparkling wine or a low-alcohol mead called sima on Vappu. Bring your own food and drink and hang on to your friends, the streets are crowded (for once). Vappu is also usually celebrated in colorful wigs, sunglasses, face and hair paint, streamers and balloons, and if you have student overalls, this is the time to wear them!
On May Day, 1st of May:
On May Day morning the party continues in Kaivopuisto park where all students gather to celebrate (except the Swedish speaking students who gather in Kaisaniemi park at 9 a.m.). It’s like a big picnic, so bring something warm to sit on and your own food and drink here, too. The dress code is still funny hats/sunglasses and overalls. Finnish students wear their student hats (ylioppilaslakki), that they got when they graduated from high school.
Also, it is a must to try traditional Finnish Vappu food such as dognuts and “tippaleipä” (funnel cake) and taste the mead (or “sima” in finnish). They can be found in all grocery stores this time of the year.
Read more about the Vappu celebrations on the Student Union’s web page.
Text and picture: Katja Långvik / Student Union of University of Helsinki – HYY