Finland celebrates May Day eve with student traditions and public festivities

May Day eve celebrations have begun across Finland, with students leading traditional festivities including the capping of statues and public gatherings, reports national broadcaster Yle.

The annual event, known locally as vappuaatto, is particularly significant for students, who mark the occasion with ceremonies such as placing white student caps on statues. Public May Day fairs (vapputorit) and picnics are also taking place nationwide.

In Lappeenranta, students crowned a crane statue and held a traditional “teekkari” baptism ceremony at the harbour. Kuopio’s market square saw vendors selling sima, a traditional Finnish mead, while Joensuu’s Freedom Park hosted the capping of the Freedom Statue.

Vaasa continued its local tradition of students washing the statue of national writer Zacharias Topelius. Meanwhile, in Hämeenlinna, a doughnut-eating contest was held at the historic Parola garrison.

Tampere’s celebrations included student gatherings, with participants sharing their plans for the evening’s festivities.