First of May 2015

Helsinki, 6 degrees


It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.

Spring. Joy. Madness. Balloons. Paper streamers. Foam. Wigs. Masquerades. Students. Birds. Funnel cakes. Male choir song. Mead. Workers. Candy. Overalls. Crisps. Sun. Carnival. Seagulls. Flowers. Tree buds. Doughnuts. Hats. Picnics. Fun. Whisks. Happiness. Caps. Colors. 

Kevät. Ilo. Hulluus. Ilmapallot. Serpentiinit. Vaahto. Peruukit. Naamiaiset. Opiskelijat. Linnut. Tippaleivät. Mieskuorot. Sima. Työläiset. Karkit. Haalarit. Sipsit. Aurinko. Karnevaalitunnelma. Lokit. Kukat. Nuput puissa. Munkit. Hatut. Piknikit. Hauskanpito. Huiskut. Lakit. Onnellisuus. Värit.

These are all words that I associate with Finland's happiest celebration of the year - first of May (in Finnish Vappu, in Swedish Valborg)! You can read some of my earlier blog posts about the festivities here and here. I was raised to cherish this celebration as my parents used to tell me how important it was to them to wear the traditional student cap that showed that they had finished senior high school. This pride, I guess, continues within me. I've inherited my father's student cap and it is one of my most beloved memories of him and his character. In short, I think one can say that first of May is a day when you can cherish the people around you, enjoy life and take some time to be proud of the work you've done. All great things if you ask me. I couldn't imagine a happier beginning to the summer season that traditionally begins in May. For the end of next week, they've promised 20 degrees. Now that is what I call sweet life in Helsinki!

Nämä ovat kaikki sanoja, joita yhdistän vappuun. Voit lukea joitakin aikaisempia kirjoituksiani vapusta täältä ja täältä. Vanhempani kasvattivat minut arvostamaan vappua koska kertoivat usein miten tärkeetä ylioppilaaksi pääseminen oli ollut heille. Sama ylpeys on saanut jatkoa minussa. Perin isäni ylioppilaslakin ja se onkin yksi suosikkimuistoesineistäni koska se kiteyttää niin hyvin hänen persoonallisuudestaan. Lyhyesti voisin sanoa, että vappu tarkoittaa minulle läheisten kanssa olemista, elämästä nauttimista ja oman työn ylpeydestä. Kaikki erittäin hienoja asioita. En parempaa alkua kesäkaudelle voisi toivoa! Ensi viikolla onkin jo luvattu Helsinkiin 20 astetta, se jos jotain on merkki makeasta elämästä.


When do you think that summer begins? How do you celebrate it?

Mitä vappu tarkoittaa sinulle? Miten juhliat vappua?


What's your opinion?

  1. That was really a very cool post, with lovely photos of the celebration! I loved your dress in white, with lace sleeves, you look beautiful! And yes to spring, picnics, happiness, fun, yes to all! I think this is the right place for me, cause I love the temperatures of Helsinki! 6 now and 20 in some days, I love this kind of variation, not 35 degrees like some people do - but I respect their tastes, of course, although I am much more inclined to Helsinki! Hope you have a nice weekend!
    DenisesPlanet.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Denise, Vappu is definitely one of my favorite celebrations of the year! And thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them!

      xxx
      E

      Delete
  2. Such a beautiful event!!!!!!

    wwwplogstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. The celebration in Finland look so so great , great pictures dear. In Poalnd we celebrate as well but not in the same huge way like in your country. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, yes, I don't know anyone that celebrates it this big :D For once, a small country celebrates big!

      xxx
      E

      Delete
  4. lovely event
    NEW BLOG POST : MELODY JACOBS BLOG http://melodyjacob1.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

@elisabeth.rundlof