"Funny how things change.
Life goes on,
graduation day,
oh, graduation day."
- Chris Isaak
I guess it is a week of "graduation" here in Helsinki. We have graduated to vests and our winter coats are in the closet...at least for now. The scarves and mittens are also put away. There is very little snow on the ground and the sun shines most of the time now...a sign of spring? That leads to my next topic "Vappu."
Vappu, from what I am told, is the day when all of Finland is drunk...followed by May Day, 1st of May. Vappu is the memorial day of Saint Labor, the celebration of spring, and many university graduates and alumni parade the streets with their caps. Vappu has been celebrated in Finland since 1890. During Vappu people drink mead ("honey wine") and eat May Day fritters (funnel cakes). Big festivals crowd the streets and the market places are filled with balloons. Statues are decorated and the party is said to continue all weekend, plus Monday. Can we say Mardi Gras in Finland?
1 comments:
Since Steven is coming home for Vapu, you two be careful with all that drinking. I need your maternity clothes!! I love the posts, so keep them coming when you have time. Glad to see it's warming up there a bit.
- Dana
Post a Comment