Voices about spring from Europe

«Voices of Spring» by Johann Strauss opens a programme with which the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) welcomes spring in Grafenegg on Easter Sunday. What are the different customs associated with the warmer season in the musicians’ homelands? Read voices about spring from three European countries.

Finland

In Finland, during the spring, there are many traditions, for example «virvontaoksat»: Children go from house to house and knock on the door of neighbours to give a decorated branch (catkin) and they get some candy in return. But beside all of the Easter celebrations, during the spring we plant small pots of grass called «raeruoho». In Finland the ground outside is frozen for a long time, so we want to see some growth and green inside our homes.

First of May we have a celebration day in Finland. The whole country gets a free day from school and work. Even though it is usually freezing, everybody goes out to have a pick-nick with traditional food, homemade doughnuts «munkki» and a drink called «sima». All the children get balloons and students go to the centre of Helsinki for the official opening of the student celebration. On this opening celebration all students who have passed high school, get to wear the white hat that they received from their school. This is an extraordinary happening in Finland since everyone is coming to the centre to celebrate together: the centrum is really crowded.
Ella Kiiski

Ireland

Imbolc or St. Brigid’s Day is an old Celtic festival which has been celebrated by pagans and Christians in Ireland for thousands of years. It falls on February 1/2nd, marking the midway point of the winter and spring Equinox and celebrates spring, the beginning of the lambing season and new life. We make special crosses out of straw, willows and reeds and hang them up in our homes. Many people also add a slip of paper with a wish for the year ahead. These crosses often hang in the home for the year as superstition says it will offer protection to the family.
Sinéad O’Halloran

Sweden

After the long and cold Swedish winter, we celebrate the arrival of the spring on the 30th of April by lighting up a fire within a forest and gather around it. Back in the old days, this date was the first day when the cattle were released into nature. The fire was both a way to keep wolves away from the animals but also witches and evil spirits away from the villages. Nowadays we gather around the fire to sing spring songs and celebrate that brighter days are coming! The day is called valborgsmässoafton and is truly a welcomed feast in Sweden.
Alma Möller