Explore summer in Helsinki
Our summertime video series: a look at life in the capital during the brightest time of the year.
Children share a free lunch on the playground in a nearly 100-year-old Helsinki tradition.
During summer in Helsinki, children under 16 can eat lunch for free at any of 71 designated playgrounds around the city. This tradition is almost 100 years old and is made possible by the Helsinki Social Services Department.
We visit Haruspuisto Playground in the eastern suburb of Meri-Rastila and talk with playground supervisor Päivi Tolvanen-Piironen. Children from widely different backgrounds come to the park to play, paint, sing and eat – there’s a great sense of community spirit.
By Gustavo Alavedra, July 2012
