Vappu Day observed in Finland peacefully amid festivity

The International Workers’ Day, widely known as May Day, commemorating the 1886 uprising of Chicago workers to establish their rights was observed in the country peacefully amid festivity and joy.

The celebrations of May Day, locally called Vappu Day, began on Tuesday evening but the main celebration and May Day rallies were held on Wednesday all over the country.

Although the programmes traditionally begins on the Eve of the day through washing and crowning of the Havis Amanda statue in the capital, this year students gathered around a makeshift monument as the fountain temporarily removed for renovation.

Police said that the celebrations were peaceful across the country excepting few incidents of drunk driving and unruliness late Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

The celebrations took place at Kansalaistori (Citizens' Square) between the Oodi Central Library and the Helsinki Music Centre with thousands of people witnessed the ceremony.

Several processions and rallies were held in the capital city and other big cities.

The traditional parade of May Day organized by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), started at 10:00 am from Hakaniemi Square and move around the city centre and the senate Square.

President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb received May Day greetings at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday morning.

The presidential couple were greeted by the Finnish Workers' Music Federation.

The wind orchestra of the Sibelius-opisto music institute in Hämeenlinna performed music this year.

The event was ended with the traditional address by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki and the YL Male Voice Choir.

International Workers’ Day marks the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, when Chicago police fired on workers during a general strike for their legitimate rights, including an eight-hour working day. The firing resulted in the deaths of several demonstrators and police officers.

May 1 was adopted as International Workers’ Day by socialist delegates in Paris in 1889. More than 400 delegates met in Paris on the centenary of the French revolution at the Marxist International Socialist Congress, the founding meeting of the Second International.

The 1889 resolution called for a one-time demonstration but it became an annual event in the course of time. May Day was celebrated in Russia, Brazil and Ireland first in 1891.