The more fit run the City Marathon in July, and August brings the eagerly-awaited Helsinki Festival. The last day of April is the beginning of Vappu. Down in the Market square in Helsinki, students place a white graduation cap on the head of the Havis Amanda mermaid statue. The thousands that have gathered to witness the event cheer and raise their champagne glasses in a toast. All through Vappu, shrill whistles sound and colourful balloons, streamers and decorations are everywhere.
Revellers throng the streets until the small hours.
The following morning the students in their white caps gather in large numbers for brunch on the hill called Ullanlinnanm ki in Kaivopuisto Park to welcome the new day and spring. The women really rev up their energy in May. Thousands of them compete in a 10k mini-marathon, looking forward to reaching the finishing tape and being pampered by the men who are there to take care of the logistics and other practical arrangements. A bit of the rest of Finland takes up residence in the Senate Square for a while in early June. Every year it is the turn of one of the country's regions to present itself to the people of the capital.