May 1 in Finland is a truly special day. For most of Europe, May is "workers day", but in Finland, it is a completely different affair. May 1st is "Vappu" or "student's day"! It is celebrated in truly Finnish style -- singing, dancing, and wee bit of drinking... all with your student cap on. this was Paola's second Vappu (last year we were joined by Paola's cousin Marilisa), but it may have been her craziest yet.
Vappu begins with the "crowning of the mermaid". Tens of thousands of people gather around a statue in the market square in downtown Helsinki to witness a group of students placing a student's cap on the mermaid's head. At precisely 6pm, when the cap is finally put in place (an hour-long cleaning ceremony takes place first), EVERYONE in the crown dons their black and white student cap and pops open their champagne to mark the start of the celebration.
After an evening of partying, there is another important Vappu tradition -- the picnic in the park. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) the park where everyone gathers it literally across the street from our apartment. This year, we were joined by a number of Italian friends -- Matteo and Diletta, who live in Helsinki, Federico, another Italian transplant in Helsinki, Francesco and Guido, who were visiting Fed, and our "local guide" Johanna. Like everywhere he travels, Stenley made plenty of friends at Vappu. Of course, we took plenty of photos!! Stanley's Vappu pics
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