Vappu National Day
Helsinki
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Sokos Hotel Torni 0.3 km
Scandic Hotel Marski 0.5 km
Hotel Kamp 0.9 km
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Scandic Hotel Marski 0.5 km
Hotel Kamp 0.9 km
powered by TravelIntelligence.net
useful links
Finland Guide (finnguide.fi)Finland Cultural Guide (scandinavica.com)
Helsinki, May 1: it’s Finland, alright, but not Finland as we know it. Usually a reserved nation, the Finns like to celebrate the beginning of spring in style, and Vappu is when they do it best. The festivities actually start the night before, on April 30, when Havis Amanda, a statue of a mermaid near Helsinki’s market square, is sprayed with champagne and given a white cap to wear – an endearing ritual which is repeated with statues all over the country. From there, it’s pretty much anything goes as a nation parties on into the night.
If you can match the Finns drink for drink, you might regret it the next morning, but the fun hasn’t stopped yet. On May 1 itself – come rain, snow or sleet – the entire population takes advantage of their favourite national holiday to rummage through the markets for amusing knick-knacks and then gather in the parks and restaurants for an almighty nosh-up. Mead is the traditional drink, fritters the traditional food. You and your friends won’t have experienced anything like it. And you’ll never look at Finland in the same light again.
If you can match the Finns drink for drink, you might regret it the next morning, but the fun hasn’t stopped yet. On May 1 itself – come rain, snow or sleet – the entire population takes advantage of their favourite national holiday to rummage through the markets for amusing knick-knacks and then gather in the parks and restaurants for an almighty nosh-up. Mead is the traditional drink, fritters the traditional food. You and your friends won’t have experienced anything like it. And you’ll never look at Finland in the same light again.
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It really depends on how you feel the morning after it!
qita, Espoo 07/5/2008
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