Hooray! It’s time for May Day (May 1)! What was once a festival dedicated to labourers evolved into a massive celebration among Finnish students, especially at polytechnic institutes.
Known as Vappu in Finnish and Valborg in Swedish (both are official languages in Finland), May Day marks the arrival of spring.
A typical Finn might celebrate by wearing their white high school graduation cap and enjoying sausages, potato salad and sima (a traditional Finnish mead) at a picnic on May 1. University students, however, have been preparing for Vappu for months. For them, Vappu isn’t just a break from the daily routine – it’s an exuberant, larger-than-life celebration.
Meet some Vappu devotees
May Day is the highlight of the year for Sakari (left), Elina and Tuomas, who all study at Aalto University.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
Sakari, Elina and Tuomas are teekkarit (students in technical subjects) at Aalto University. We meet them a week before Vappu in Otaniemi, a vibrant student hub where the university’s main campus is located, in the municipality of Espoo, just west of Helsinki. Otaniemi is home to some 12,000 students from the university’s six different schools (Arts, Design and Architecture; Business; Electrical Engineering; Engineering; Chemical Engineering; and Science).
The festive spirit of May Day is palpable: a May Day radio studio is broadcasting a live countdown to Vappu and the trio are dressed in quintessential May Day attire: student overalls and the special teekkari version of the graduation cap. The sun is shining, and excitement is in the air.
These people are definitely ready for May Day.
Don’t overthink it
Tuomas can easily name the most important Vappu event for him: singing the “Teekkari Anthem” and donning the iconic teekkari version of the graduation cap.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
Tuomas, a student of real estate economics and a board member of the Aalto University Student Union, sees May Day as the perfect bridge to spring, with summer not far behind.
“The May Day events and traditions started weeks ago, but things really ramp up about a week before May 1,” he says.
Tuomas’s overalls are adorned with event bracelets, mementos of active participation in student traditions. The colour of the overalls is based on the student’s major at university.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
“During May Day, you can just enjoy a couple of days without overthinking,” Tuomas says. “It’s pure fun.”
The freedom of Vappu
Sakari is an “Nth-year student,” meaning he has not hurried to finish his studies. For him, May Day symbolises everything that is good about student life.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
Sakari, chair of the board at Aalto University Student Union, sees May Day as the epitome of the joys of student life.
“It’s the moment when we can truly be free and bring happiness to people with a sparkle in our eyes,” he says.
He believes May Day brings out a different, more open side of people. “It’s definitely the time when you can count on someone to say hello with a big smile on their face.”
Sakari’s overalls feature several drinking glasses, perfect for impromptu toasts. The honorary cords from the Teekkari Guild add a touch of prestige.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
As Sakari gets closer to finishing his studies in electronics and digital systems, he reflects on the lasting impact of Vappu.
“The highlight of my May Day is the announcement of festivities from the roof of Servin mökki, an event space in Otaniemi,” he says. “I can imagine myself coming back to witness it for years to come, even in my retirement.”
A time of joy and creativity
For Elina, May Day is such an important, happy celebration that when it’s over, it always takes a while to recover and realise it’s time to return to “normal life.”Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
For Elina, a master’s student in information networks and the vice-chair of the Aalto University Student Union board, May Day is all about joy.
“The norms of everyday life and regular schedules take a back seat for a moment, and creativity takes over, manifesting in a wide variety of student events,” she says. “Everyone agrees that May Day is all about keeping the joy alive and laughing together.”
Elina’s red overall sleeve symbolises the Swedish-speaking community at Aalto University. The red tassel is a memento from her freshman year.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
Elina highlights the sense of safety and camaraderie in Otaniemi at Vappu. “We’re here among fellow students, and we all care about each other,” she says.
One of the most moving moments for Elina is midnight on April 30, when thousands of engineering students don their graduation caps simultaneously.
“That’s an incredible moment of togetherness,” she says. “Everyone is just happy, hugging each other and celebrating the joy of finally putting their caps back on after the long wait through winter and spring.”
How to celebrate May Day like a Finn (and a teekkari (tech student)) in the Helsinki area
May Day inspires tech students to play pranks, create their own commemorative Vappu magazines and set up a large Vappu countdown on a grassy field in Otaniemi.Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma
- Take a stroll in Otaniemi: Explore the vibrant campus just before Vappu (metro: Aalto University).
- Witness the crowning of Havis Amanda: Watch a crane lift a group of students so they can place a graduation cap on the head of the iconic statue in Helsinki’s city centre (6 pm on April 30).
- Enjoy a May Day brunch: Head to Kaivopuisto, a beautiful seaside park at the southern tip of Helsinki, where people gather for an enormous picnic every year on May 1.
- Savour Finnish treats: A delicious munkki (doughnut) tastes perfect together with a refreshing glass of sima (traditional Finnish mead).
- Tune in to May Day radio: Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere.
- Be curious and open-minded: Smile, talk to strangers and embrace the celebration.
By Emilia Kangasluoma, April 2025
