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Mayday! Mayday! - Vappu is here! |
 Partying on the streets
The springtime celebration, widely known around the world as May Day, is called "Vappu" in Finland. Traditionally this day has been recognised as a day of the working classes and students. However, since the late seventies, pretty much everyone has joined in. Weatherwise, Vappu has marked the end of a long winter and a coming of summer. Taking place on the last day of April and First of May, weather forecasters and partiers alike are practically praying for a warm and sunny weather, as Vappu definitely takes the partying to the streets. The white student caps City-centres and parks are packed with singing, shouting and yes - often quite drunken Finns carrying a varied arsenal of necessities with them. A definite characteristic of this, from time to time out of control party, are the white student caps, which can be seen on punters heads from the early eve of the celebrations. Additional tools of the trade include whistles (to make all that noise...), masks portraying the newsmakers of the moment, imaginative balloons, colourful paper streamers wrapped around the upper body (basically all over the body in some cases..), an umbrella and last but not least; lots of alcoholic beverages. The more the merrier - Vappu without drinking is like Christmas without presents. Period. Summer - here we come! People like to dress up for this outdoor party. Women often wear short, light pastel dresses with flower patterns, just shouting to the world: "Summer, here I come!" No more heavy duty winter gear, just nice, light summer clothing from now on. Men tend to adapt the same characteristics as women - well, not wearing dresses (hopefully), but summery, lightly coloured suits and trench coats. Actually, it can still be quite cold in the springtime, especially during nights, but from Vappu onwards there is no turning back to the winter wardrobe. It is kind of the same ritual as after Christmas when you throw away the Christmas tree; it ends the period. The Finns pack their winter clothes in the attics and wait for the sun to warm up their days, like a bear emerging into the daylight in spring after six months of hibernation. The odd customs of students On the Eve of Vappu you are bound to bump into a pack of shouting bunch staggering around, wearing sponsored, multi- coloured overalls and white student caps. Just to make this clear: It isn´t the annual party of the Cable Guy´s Union . They are Finland´s brave new hopes of tomorrow - the University Students! Now they have a lot to solemnize and celebrate about, and believe me, they do. These "overalls people" are a very common sight on the streets many days prior to the actual celebration and a couple days after. They are an essential part of Vappu spirit and scene. You´ve seen them letting loose since you were an innocent child smiling in your baby carriage and having no idea, what the heck is going on when young adults are dressed in babylike overalls (and practically many others…). Vappu Day picnics It is a tradition to go for a civilised and generous brunch or picnic on Vappu Day. Friends are gathering together to eat and drink well (yes - drinking keeps on going!). You can hear glasses full of champagne clinking together, as the happy and hungry party people are enjoying Finnish delicacies such as Baltic Herring and boiled potatoes. It is very common to see some new faces mingling with the familiar ones. Vappu is probably the best time to find yourself a partner, if you don´t already have one (or even if you do…). The next chance to see this kind of "lovesick action" comes within a couple of months, at Midsummer´s Eve. Finns tend to be a bit on the shy side in the everyday life, but when it´s time for a National Celebration, all inhibitions are gone and everyone´s very laid back and outgoing. It´s hard to recognise the clichéd characteristics of this quiet nation. A genuine Finnish experience for the cultural thrillseeker Vappu is a good time starting to familiarize oneself with Finnish culture and the characteristic friendliness and honesty of its people. It certainly is a mad celebration for this nation and on occasion, one might think all the partying is getting a bit out of control. However, Vappu surely is a genuine Finnish experience for the cultural thrillseeker. So be adventurous and come to celebrate with us - maybe there is a hint of Vappu in you too… |
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