Colors of Helsinki - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The locals are very hospitable, but they are distinguished by a certain restraint in communication. Great nature is considered the main wealth of their country. In the minds of local people relaxing holiday is invariably associated with a comfortable country house situated on the shore of a lake or a river. Sauna remains a favorite pastime for indigenous people. Here they can not only sit back and relax, but also communicate with their friends.

Owners of large apartments make a small sauna directly in their apartments. Each apartment building will certainly have a public sauna, which can be visited by all residents of the building for free. Local women are rather independent and willful. They are interested in politics and appreciate their independence. During a trip to a club or a disco you can see that sometimes women here behave as men. They can attend various entertainments on their own and be the first one who chooses a partner for dancing. Many bars and restaurants organize special ladies' nights several times a week. Men cannot attend such special events.

At first glance, the local people may seem quite serious and reserved, but they stick to official tone of communication only when they contact with strangers. In a company of friends, they are very cheerful and sociable. Independence Day, which takes place on December 6, is the most striking national holiday. Many interesting traditions and activities are connected with this day. Thus, in the morning a military parade takes place in Helsinki, and on evenings a grand ball is conducted in Presidential Palace. The national flag remains the main symbol of the Independence Day. On this day not only state agencies are decorated with flags; local residents hang the flags over the entrances of their houses. In the evening the square in front of the cathedral becomes the location of rallies. The celebration is finished with a large student march. Thousands of young people pass through central streets of the city. They light up torches that symbolize the beginning of a new free time. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In mid-June, the capital of Finland invites the guests from all over the world to celebrate its birthday together. Usually, the restrained and modest Finns organize a real annual festive marathon to honor the main city of the country. The center of Helsinki is filled with a cheerful flow of people, bright colors, and music. During the Helsinki Day, you will have major possibilities to enjoy various events for free! Moreover, throughout the years, this strictly local celebration became an international holiday. The celebration starts with a solemn ceremony on the Senate Square, which is held by the Mayor of Helsinki. One of the most popular events held during the Helsinki Day is the "Lunch in the open air". On the Pohjosesplanadi street, in the historical center of the city, stand a huge served table, behind which 1000 people are having the dinner. The cultural institutions of Helsinki play an important role in the festival. On June 12, all the museums of the capital open their doors for a free visit, when special excursions are held. Most of the events taking place on City Day in Helsinki are absolutely free.

Every year at the end of June, in the capital of Finland takes place the large-scale event LGBT Pride. This massive event is designed to support not only a tolerant attitude towards the LGBT community but also human rights and the civil equality of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The participants of the festival gather in the Senate Square of the city, preparing for the procession. Simultaneously with the Pride on Kansalistori Square, the International Euro Games take place. During these games, there are competitions for lesbians and gays in various sports. However, if you desire to take part in such sports competitions you are free to do that! Competitions are included in the program of the parade along with picnics, master classes, discussions, lectures, and discos that take place in different parts of the capital. In August, the kings and queens of the stage and geniuses of modern art cheer the public with the creative and positive energy. The annual Festival of Music, Visual Arts and Urban Art "Flow" is recognized and accepted by critics as one of the loudest events of the summer season in Helsinki. This festival of art combines many formats. As part of the Flow Festival, techno-rave peacefully gets along with an exhibition of paintings, a premiere of a documentary with a culinary tasting, and a jazz concert with performances or designer shows. A one-day ticket to the Flow Festival costs 70 euros.

In the last two weeks of summer, the city of Helsinki becomes the point for Finland's largest art marathon. The Helsinki Festival possesses very simple but important goals - to make art, in the broadest sense of the word, accessible to the masses. To achieve this mission, the organizers include the widest range of genres in the program of the forum: music (from classics and ethnics to heavy rock), circus, dance, fine art, sculpture, cinema, theater and much more. Annually about 300,000 residents of the Finnish capital and guests of Suomi visit the event under the aegis of the festival. About 20 of the best art institutions and concert halls of the city, including the Finnish National Opera, the Museum of Contemporary Art "Kiasma", the House of Music of Helsinki and the Design Museum, serve as the venues for the Helsinki Festival. The main concert stage - the tent of Huvila - is usually located in the parking space at the city water-front of Tokoyranta. At various times, such world stars as Radiohead, Massive Attack, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith and Laurie Anderson performed here. Each season within the framework of Helsinki fest passes about 500 large and small creative actions. The most significant event of the multi-festival holiday is the "Night of the Arts" (Taiteiden yö) - enchanting art carnival, with the participation of the largest museums, bookstores, theaters and cultural centers of the capital of Finland.