Walpurgis Night, as the English Wikipedia translates it to, is a day of celebration on the 1st of May in many European countries. In Germany, Walpurgisnacht - in Sweden, Valborgsmässoafton, in Finland - Vappu!
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This year, Vappu falls on Tuesday, leading to many, many Finns taking the day off on both the preceding Thursday and Monday, making a hell of a five day weekend for absurd Spring celebration. Some people take it to the slopes for absolute blasts of skiing and partying, such as Pyhä May Day, while others focus on it's traditional and modern meaning - celebrating Finnish labour and students.
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To kids, it's a day of joy, sort of like a carneval in many cities around Finland, with helium balloons, confetti, masks, songs and all sorts of treats waiting to be devoured! For adults... it's a day of joy, as well. Champagne flows on April 31st, on May Day's Eve. The streets are crowded with people enjoying life, dressed in all sorts of costumes, the shining sun (fingers crossed) and of course, the fricking day off for boozing it up!
Some of the traditional favorite treats are mead (with raisins) and funnel cake.
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Everyone who has graduated from our equivalent of High School, a.k.a. passed the Finnish Matriculation Examination receives one of these hats. And old saying goes "A clean cap is a sign of boredom", meaning that the dirtier your hat, the more fun you've had on all May Day celebrations during your life - even wiping off vomit with it, everything goes!
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On May Day, everyone, and I mean everyone who has one dons it with pride, gusto or or at least carries it around just for the fuck of it - it's Vappu after all. In Helsinki, we crown our beloved Statue of Manta with a large hat, 'Ylioppilaslakki' in Finnish.
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That's when the real fun begins. It's also a day when most University students don their overalls, colored with whatever branch of science they are studying, protecting them from the unavoidable spills and possible throw-up from themselves or other participants.
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The day after in many cities consists of enduring a probably hellish hangover in parks, but at least in good company.
A nice Vappu brunch seals the deal for everyone.
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So, if you ever have the chance to visit Finland or any other country celebrating this during May Day, you will have a blast. I'm already so goddamn excited, even if it's a week in advance...
HYVÄÄ VAPPUA KAIKILLE!
