When Lordi won the Eurovision song contest, they scribbled the phrase “torilla tavataan” on a cardboard as a message to the folks in Finland. When Sweden lost to Finland in the hockey world championship, the Finns set their social networks status ablaze with the phrase “torilla tavataan“.
“Torilla tavataan“, translated literally to “let’s meet at the market” is the rallying cry when Earth-shaking events (only the good kind) involving Finland happen. It’s the place where people congregate and celebrate spontaneously.
In Helsinki, this place happens to be the Market Square (Kauppatori). Located at the city center; at the end of Esplanade Park (Esplanadin puisto); fronted by the City Hall (Kaupungin talo), the Presidential Palace, and the Baltic Sea; it’s very easy to see why people naturally gravitate here.
On most ordinary days, the Market Square is host to vendors of fresh produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs. There are hosts of outdoor cafes as well. One in particular that Annika and I (and a lot of times the only reason for going to the Market Square during summertime and autumn) is at this crepe cafe. Their Chicken Caesar crepe is what keeps us coming back. It’s to die for. It’s no wonder that this outdoor cafe is always jam-packed, and deservedly so.
But all year round though, there are always things happening at the Market Place. The annual Herring Fair is held there; so is the sailing ships exhibition; and the weekend old cars display. Even the most mundane of days has this certain charm about it. I guess it’s the atmosphere of the place; from the fresh sea breeze of the Baltic to the vibe you get from the people, which is certainly composed of tourists more than half of the time– local and foreign tourists alike.
