This year, Aalto University Student Union (AYY) operating for the second year and the Association of Economics Students in Helsinki (KY) celebrating its centennial anniversary have the honour to cap Havis Amanda statue on May Day Eve. The washing of the statue starts at 5pm and the cap is pressed on Manta’s head at 6pm. ”I can reveal that we will have a bubbly 5-metre sparkling wine bottle, explosions and shreds”, promises AYY’s Event Producer Mika Tarhala with a twinkle in his eye.

Demonstration of the May Day spirit

Before Manta’s capping, AYY and KY will organise the demonstration of the May Day spirit which leads students to Havis Amanda statue. The processions start in front of KY House and at Hietalahdentori Square at 4pm. The procession is led by a truck which is dressed in carnival outfit by AYY’s Teekkari Section. The processions unite into a one big carnival procession in the intersection of Mannerheimintie and Etelä-Esplanadi.

The student unions in the metropolitan area take turns in capping Havis Amanda statue. This year, AYY has the responsibility for the first time together with KY which operates as an association within the Student Union and celebrates its centennial anniversary. “In addition to the anniversary week in February, May Day week is the other highlight of the year. This year, all the events at Manta statue will be even bigger and more spectacular”, says KY’s Secretary for Cultural Affairs Katri Kaijalainen.

May Day on Sunday, 1 May 2011

University students’ May Day celebrations begin at Ullanlinnanmäki at 9am on May Day. From the student unions in the metropolitan area, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), AYY and the Student Union of Sibelius Academy (SAY) present their greetings and YL Male Voice Choir performs. Swedish-speaking students gather at Kaisaniemi Park from 9am onwards.

The delegation of HYY and YL will traditionally greet the President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, Mayor of Helsinki Jussi Pajunen, Chancellor of the University of Helsinki Ilkka Niiniluoto and Rector of the University of Helsinki Thomas Wilhelmsson. The public and the media are welcome

to listen to YL Male Voice Choir and the May Day greeting of HYY’s Chairperson Maija Jäppinen in front of the Presidential Palace at 11am

FURTHER INFORMATION:

AYY: Mika Tarhala, Producer, Culture & Events, 050 520 9436, mika.tarhala@ayy.fi
KY: Katri Kaijalainen, Secretary for Cultural Affairs, 040 353 8276, katri.kaijalainen@kyweb.fi