Traditional May Day fairs normally held at open-air marketplaces in Finland have been cancelled again this year because of restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
As one of the country's biggest annual celebrations, May Day holiday sales are usually a significant source of income for market vendors.
There are around 400 marketplaces in the country where some 1,200 professional vendors normally ply their trade. According to a rough estimate, there are also about 12,000-15,000 part-time traders who sell at these markets.
In addition, there are hundreds of event organisers. Most years, there are 800 separate market events held and approximately 700 fairs and festivals, all of which offer job opportunities.
Right now, most open-air markets are open, but operating under some restrictions. Those include a ban on holding any special events marking the May Day holiday.
This does not mean, though, that the public will have to forgo the novelty items usually sold in markets at this time of year, such as carnival masks, noisemakers, and colourful helium-filled balloons.
"For example, Saturday in Pori is a normal market day, so if someone has reserved a stall in the market they can sell May Day related goods," explains Ari Kallas, Executive Director Executive Director of the Central Organisation of Finnish Outdoor Markets and Fairs.
Competing with malls
Pointing to recent research on the spread of the coronavirus, Kallas says it is unfair and illogical that open-air market events are still under these restrictions, when, for example, large shopping centres are open.
He has been in contact with the authorities on several occasions urging a change in the rules, but so far to no avail.
"I would like outdoor commercial sales to be freed from restrictions as soon as possible, as long as they comply with health safety guidelines," Kallas told Yle. He noted that in some other parts of Europe the practice has been to close shopping centres while allowing marketplaces to stay open, the opposite to what has been seen in Finland.
Market vendors have been hard hit financially over the past year. Kallas calculates that the country has lost about 5,000 jobs in the sector due to bankruptcies and scaled-down market operations.
"It will take a long time, if it ever happens, that we’re back to the same level as in 2019," predicted Kallas.