The statue of Havis Amanda, more familiarly known as Manta, receives a Finnish student cap from students on every May Day Eve. But what or who will be given the cap at the Kauppatori in Helsinki in 2024? The students of the University of the Arts Student Union are in turn to fix the crowning this year!
The public event gathers more than 70,000 people annually to follow the crowning of Havis Amanda, or Manta for short. While the 115-year-old Manta is being restored, the Manta “hattening” event on 30.4. at 18:00 will also reveal what will be replacing Manta during the historical performance.
Schedule:
Programme on Kansalaistori Square
At 4.30 pm – Reborn
At 4.50 pm – Kvarty Five x Leo Harald
At 5.20 pm – Flok
at 5.40 – Glitch
At 6 pm – The crowning of a artwork created by Uniarts Helsinki students and the visit of the real Havis Amanda on the giant screen of the Helsinki Music Centre
6pm–6.30pm Headliner: Tiikerin vuosi
"My daughter has graduated!"
– Maybe like this the artist Ville Vallgren said after Havis Amanda received her student cap in 1921.
Havis Amanda Crowning 2024 - what to expect?
Vappu Eve 30.4.2024 is right around the corner! Havis Amanda is on vacation for the first time in her 115-year existence, and will return in August restored to her original location.
Tradition is a key part of Vappu, and the student community has the strength to carry traditions through the exceptional years. Let's work together to make this years crowning of Havis Amanda a joyful and uniquely memorable Vappu experience for every student. The next time Havis Amanda will be on holiday is probably more than a hundred years from now.
So, what happens and where on Vappu Eve?
- See you at Kansalaistori! Havis Amanda, Helsinki's own mermaid, has promised us to visit the event from her holiday.
- We will organize a traditional crowning event where we will crown art students' artwork and interpretation of Manta with a crane.
- The festival stage will also feature a unique music show. The performances start at 16:30 and the headliner takes the stage at 18:00 after the crowning has happened.
- Communications; Before May Day, we will share all the vibes of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Student May Day on the @mantanlakitus Instagram account. If you want to be part of Vappu Week, you can tag us!
How to arrive?
- It is advisable to arrive at Kansalaistori Square well in advance, so that you are most likely to find good place to watch the crowning show. You can reach Kansalaistori Square on foot via Töölönlahdenkatu from Mannerheimintie or from behind Oodi.
- Mannerheimintie is closed to car traffic between Arkadiankatu and Runeberginkatu from 4 pm to 8 pm.
The map below shows the arrival routes to Kansalaistori Square (Pink arrows indicate the direction of travel and routes of arrival, green circles with a white cross mark first aid points. No access to the event area from routes marked with a red prohibition sign)
One final note on safety:
May Day Eve is one of the largest urban celebrations in the Helsinki metropolitan area. For safety reasons, people from the Esplanade Park are instructed to Kansalaistori Square to celebrate. Also e.g. sanitary facilities, cleaning arrangements, first aid points, etc. can be found this year at Kansalaistori Square. The city has directed the event to Kansalaistori Square, as it is not possible to organise an event of this magnitude in the Esplanade Park due to the restoration of the Havis Amanda fountain.
You can recognize the first aid personnel by their green vests, the stewards by their yellow or orange vests, as shown in the picture below!
If you have any practical questions or wish for more information about the Manta Crowning Event 2024, you can contact the Student Union of Uniarts Helsinki, which organises the event. Joyful wait for Vappu!
Suvi Vendelin
Executive producer of Manta Crowning Event 2024
University of the Arts Student Union art- and culture policy specialist
puh. 050 467 0594
Ester Sundström
Communication specialist of Manta Crowning Event 2024
University of the Arts Student Union secretary of membership services and communications
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