Enjoy the Vappu Festival!

Hello everybody,

The spring semester is rolling over and there is a little bit to tell about a Finnish tradition called Vappu (the 1st of May).The Vappu celebrations over here are dancing on the streets. It's always been a students' day in this country even though workers tried to take over at some point and claim it their day.

It's a long long tradition from way back when, as well, that students give the statue Havis Amanda at the Market Square Kauppatori in Helsinki a good scrub and put a giant size white student's cap on her head in the evening before Vappu.

On Vappu morning, people wear their white student caps and go to have early morning champagne in the park. You have to go really early if you want to grab a good spot for camping in Helsinki because it is crowded. In Joensuu the situation is much better with the room for camping, however normally it is slightly colder out here. Students wear traditional dresses which are very colorful and distinct each Faculty from others.

This occasion gathers tens of thousands of people all over the country who are throwing serpentine, drinking champagne and enjoying usually in a very cold weather.

Well, that's about it. Just wanted to share some of the stuff with you.

HAUSKAA VAPPUA!