Vappu (1. of May)
May Day is an annual workers' holiday and public holiday celebrated on 1 May. It is also a big celebration for students. On May Day, students at universities organise events and have fun.
History
Although nowadays May Day is known mainly as a celebration of students and balloons, May Day has its origins in the labour movement. It was originally a workers' holiday, dating back to Chicago in the US, where in 1886 there was a major labour demonstration and the Haymarket Massacre. The celebration of the labour movement began on 1 May in various parts of the world, and the tradition arrived in Finland in the 1890s. So originally, May Day was more a celebration of the labour movement and the trade union movement, celebrating workers' rights and calling for better working conditions. It became established as a student festival in the early 20th century and has since taken on a more informal, joyful and popular character. It has been an official flag day in Finland since 1979. The name comes from Valburg, a saint in the Catholic Church.
Food and drink
The dishes that are part of Finnish May Day include dripping bread, doughnuts, sausages and potato salad. However, the most important symbol of the Finnish May Day is the sima. The sale of alcohol on May Day is up to three times higher than on a normal Monday, making it the third busiest holiday in Finland after Christmas and Midsummer.
Costume for May Day
The usual outfit for a student on May Day is overalls and a student cap. The colour and appearance of the overalls depends on the place of study. Students decorate their overalls with badges, often with a funny text or picture. At Diak, we use yellow overalls in all departments and on all campuses.
On May Day, both the younger and older generations wear their graduation caps. The cap is a white hat with a black brim. When a person graduates from high school, they becomes a school leaver and receives a graduation cap. Nowadays, other graduation caps are also worn on May Day, the colour and appearance of which depends on the degree.
The graduation cap is worn on 30 April and on 1 May. The cap can only be worn on 30 April after the cap has been placed on the statue. Other graduation caps have their own rules and some may be worn earlier.
The wearing of a graduation cap on May Day is an old tradition. In the 19th century, graduates wore a dark winter cap and a white summer cap. On May Day, it was usual to change the winter cap for a summer cap. This marked the beginning of summer. Today, students wear only one cap, the white cap.
Putting a hat on statues
Putting a hat on statues means that an important statue in the city gets its own graduation cap on May Day. Often students do this. After the cap has been placed on the statue, the students put on their cap and the party can begin.
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In Helsinki, the Manta or Havis Amanda statue.
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In Oulu, the statue of Franz Mikael Franzén.
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In Pori, the bear statue in the Town Hall Park.
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In Turku, the Lily statue.
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In Jyväskylä, the statue of Minna Canthi.
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In Kajaani, the statue of Elias Lönnrot.
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In Tampere, the statue of the Maid of Finland.
Vappu events
Frequently asked questions
Millainen on Vappusää? Sataako Vappuna aina? Eipä todellakaan, sen voit tarkistaa taulukoistamme. ...ja ne vapun sankat lumisateet ovat lähes myytti maan eteläosassa! (Lähde: Ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) https://www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/vappu
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Where to celebrate May Day
May Day is often celebrated outdoors in the park on May Eve 30.4. and May Day 1.5. with a picnic.
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In Helsinki, the park is Kaivopuisto. Read more.
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In Oulu, Vappupuisto is Kuusisaari, Äströminpuisto, Linnasaari. Read more.
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In Pori, Vappupuisto is Raatihuoneenpuisto. Read more.
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