Vappu Will Be Celebrated at Home – Things to Do from Crafting a Vappu Hat to Enjoying a Picnic on Your Balcony
#vappuathome The state of emergency caused by coronavirus also affects the celebrations of Vappu, the biggest national carni-val of spring. This year, we will stay at home but celebrate together. There are enough remote activities to last for several days.
- My own Vappu traditions include gathering at the Art Museum Hill, listening to the Vappu speech and of course enjoying a picnic. This year, Vappu will be celebrated at home. Putting student caps on can be enjoyed as a remote event and we can raise a virtual toast for spring, says Mayor of Turku Minna Arve.
The reason for remote Vappu is that the regulations on limiting gatherings due to the coronavirus situation re-main in force. Therefore, an important rule is that no physical events are organised and all gatherings should be avoided. Instead, spring will be celebrated at home via remote access. In addition to traditional Vappu activities arranged by student associations, activities and entertainment are offered for example by the City of Turku Recreation Division.
- People should not gather to celebrate Vappu or have picnics in big groups. In accordance with the Government recommendation, spending time at public spaces unnecessarily should be avoided. When everyone obeys the instructions and restrictions, our collaborative effort will help our society return to normal everyday life as soon as possible, says Superintendent Stephan Sundqvist from the Southwest Finland Police Department.
The City of Turku will not deliver bins, portable toilets or dumpsters to parks as it would normally do. The re-mote Vappu will not cause any route or schedule changes to Föli transport. On Thursday, Föli services run ac-cording to the normal schedule while on Vappu Day 1 May, the holiday schedule is in force.
A different kind of Vappu connects us
Higher education institutions in Turku and their student associations are strongly committed to celebrating Vappu responsibly. However, the atmosphere doesn’t have to fall short.
- Now is a good time to come up with ways to express communality safely from your own yard, balcony or sofa. Virtual activities are offered through different channels. In this way, we take care of our own health and the health of others, says Vice Rector of Turku University of Applied Sciences Juhani Soini.