Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair
3-9 October 2010 at the Market Square
Fair opening hours: Sun-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-4pm
The Baltic Herring Fair is the oldest traditional event in Helsinki, having been held annually at the start of October since 1743. Fishermen from all along the south coast of Finland congregate at the Market Square to sell their best products, including a wide and exotic variety of marinated Baltic herring. Other popular items include dark bread from the archipelago and clothing knitted from sheep who graze on the islands.
On the opening day of the market there is program from 11am to 4pm and the jury votes for the marinated fish and herring surprise of the year.
Programme for opening day 3 October
11 am Lord Mayor Jussi Pajunen opens the market
11:15 am Pellekaija Pum, programme for children
12 noon Sami Garam and Janne Pekkala prepare herring dishes onstage
12:45 pm Improvisation theatre Häpeämättömät meets the herring
1:30 pm Sami Garam and Janne Pekkala prepare herring dishes onstage
1:50 pm Kuukumina, Afro-Cuban rhythms
2:30 pm Sami Garam and Janne Pekkala prepare herring dishes onstage
3 pm Herring product competitions award ceremony, hosted by Sami Garam and Janne Pekkala
Pictures of the opening day ceremony 2009
The History of Helsinki's Baltic Herring Fair
(Finnish, Swedish, English, pdf 56 kb)