Turku Vappu,Celebrate in Style

Turku Vappu is here.I have previously posted on the Vappu celebrations in Helsinki.Many of the larger cities around Finland will be celebrating Vappu this week end 30th April through to 01 May.I thought that I would take a look at Turku Vappu on the South Western coast of Finland.Turku Vappu is the Biggest Student celebration of the year[mappress]

Turku Vappu marks the end of Winter and the start of Summer.It gives cause to celebrate the re-birth of nature,not to mention the weather and daylight hours.We are emerging from darkness and the extreme cold to lighter days,warmer weather and eventually the All Night Sun at Mid-Summer.Every year the students from the University of Turku arrange the Tuku Vappu celebrations.These events are held for all citizens living in or visiting Turku.It really is a huge street party with people milling around the city or sat on the banks of the Aura River which flows through Turku,

Aura River in Turku

As is a Finnish Tradition students can place their white caps which is a symbol of attaining their high school status and passing their examinations.Everybody gathers around the Turku Art Museum where speeches are made before moving the procession of followers down Aurakatu to the statue of Lilja which stands beside the River Aura.Top add:This is a beautiful river with some great sites along its banks.In many respects I prefer TurkuVappu to Helsinki.The students then place the students cap on the head of Lilja at about 1900.Before the cap is placed the students of dentistry will brush her teeth with a large tooth brush.

On a Turku Vappu, through out the evening and late in to the night you are able to join in the revelries in the many bars,on terraces or join one of the many parties going on around the city of Turku

Vappu in Turku

The Program for Turku Vappu

Putting on the student caps 30 April from 17.30. to 18.00. at Taidemuseonmäki (Outside the Turku Art Museum, Aurakatu)

17.30 TYY Choir
17.40 Sohon Torwet
17.55 A speech for the students (Chair of the TYY Executive Board, Elias Laitinen)
18.00 Putting on the student caps

Washing and putting on the student cap on Lilja-statue 18.30-19
Sohon Torwet

Turku Vappu picnic

1^st of  May from 10.30. to 15.30, the Vartiovuori hill

10.30 Sohon Torwet
11.15 Speech to spring (CEO of Turku 2011 Foundation, Cay Sevón)
11.45 TYY Choir
12.15 Winner of TYY’s bandstand ‘Aprillirokki’; Ukkivainaa
13.30 Yournalist
14.30 Order!Order!

21.00 Afterparty at House of Dance (Aurakatu 5, Amarillo), tickets 6€.

Turku having a population of 160,000 there are certain to be many people out next week end celebrating Turku Vappu.You may find the celebrations of Finnish Vappu in Turku will continue to the early hours of Sunday morning

Vappu Crowds in Turku

Have a great Turku Vappu !!!