Atlantica - 01.01.2006, Page 39

VAPPU VIVANTE * In Helsinki, pic-
nics are laid out on the grass to toast the
coming of spring to Finland. In Levi,
Laplanders raise their champagne and
sparkling wine glasses on the ski slopes.
Visitors from all over Finland come to
Levi on Vappu, which falls either on
the last day of April or the first day of
May, to join in Levi’s tradition of wear-
ing costumes and parading through the
small town and back to the slopes again
for a party that lasts from noon until the
sun comes up the next day.
ISTANBUL & YOUa
VAPPU a
036-39 ATL106 Finland 2 .indd 37 16.12.2005 12:35:03