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Vappu Festival(Also Known as Vappu, Walpurgis Night, Vapunaatto, Finland Festival, Carnival Finland Holidays, Spring Party Finland, Finland Carnival, May Day Finland)
Vappu – welcome to Finland’s Spring Break ! This relatively reserved Scandinavian nation breaks character once every 12 months in an eruption of song, dance & marathon drinking. It’s 2 days of white hats and beautiful people letting loose. That’s right the objective is to get to know the Finns “a little better” – Cheers to that, or as they say in Helsinki KIPPIS !
When 30th April every year since 1890 Where Finland – best to go to Helsinki. Sweden & Germany also celebrate it but not on the same level. Where to stay With a population of over half a million in Helsinki and over a million in the neighbouring areas of Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen there is a good availability of hotels and hostels for the Vappu Festival in Helsinki.
Why Vappu is the accumulation of 3 celebrations. Ø The official start of Spring Ø The International Workers Movement Ø Scandanavian Spring Break Dangeropus Tradition If one does not hook up on Vappu in Finland it will mean that you will get no love on Midsomers Night -21June ! (Don’t ask me how they enforce it) So what happens ? Everyone becomes a student in Finland for a day- drinking on the streets, dancing & far fetched students ideals begin to surface - usually after a few meads. When you graduate from University in Finland you receive a white cap. Not dissimilar to a sailors hat. This is the first thing you will need.
Next get to the Havis Amanda statue for 6pm April 30th (she’s naked) in the centre of Helsinki. This is washed down and a white hat is placed upon it. Every year a new and more efficient way to clean the statue comes about from the students of competing universities (see the picture that looks like a carnival ride)
When the cap is in place there is an explosion of champagne and sparkling white. Streamers, whistles & balloons hoard the air space. The celebrations carry onto the wee hours with a myriad of crazy bars, clubs & house parties to try out. This is my favourite thing about this fine Finnish festival: it is open to anyone and everyone gets involved and everything is open until the wee hours.
May 1st Oh dear, Scandinavian hangover. Everyone celebrates with a picnic in the local park - Kaivopuisto is the best in Helsinki. Just follow the hoards of people and BYOPH (the PH stands for picnic hamper) Although this is more of a family affair, it does wind up to be a mad session. The only people who will definitely be out on May 1st are the students - nice one. What to eat & drink To keep with the culture eat traditional Fritters or Tippaleipä (sweet May Day biscuit) & drink Finnish Mead, or Sima as it is also called.
Festival Pig Fact There is yet to be a documentary called “Fins Gone Wild”. Yet, go figure. Festivalpig Tip Check out the markets & stalls like the Kauppatori Market in Helsinki. But buyer beware, Finland is expensive, therefore self cater wherever possible. Weather Almost 17 hours of daylight, if you don’t have a blue sky & Sun you will have snow. It will be cold but the drink will warm you.
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