First of May in Finland

As in other countries, Finland also celebrates the First of May as the labourers´day. For the first time it was commemorated in 1898, then mostly to promote temperance in drinking. In 1944 we got the legislation of the First of May being an annual holiday, a bank holiday. Since 1979, the day has also been an official flag-raising day. The labour traditions include marches and public speeches of trade unions and other labour organisations.

First of May is, of course, also the day of the students. When we matriculate from senior high school we get a white cap. In all bigger cities the student unions have their favourite statue, which is given a white cap on the day tbefore, on the First of May Eve, towards the evening when celebrating begins. We all put our white caps on simultaneously, old and yellowish as they may be. There are a lot of balloons, streamers and other decorations available, all the restaurants are fully booked and a lot of sparkling wine is imbibed and then we let it go.

The next morning, that of the First of May we eat a Baltic herring brunch, outside if possible, go for walks and lunches wearing our white student caps. All people seem to be out, friends and families together strolling about, listening to concerts and musical matinees. We eat May-Day fritters and drink mead. The children enjoy the balloons, streamers and other decorations and eat a lot of ice cream. Plenty of alcoholic beverages are drunk, both the day before and on the First of May. The police and social workers wish that the weather be chilly and rainy, because then people stay more inside and less accidents take place.

If the weather is good, warm and sunny, everyone is happy to enjoy the arrival of spring in Finland. In the agrarian society in older times, this was also the time when the cattle were let out for the summer.