St. Urho's Day
March 16, Sunday
History and Origin
The holiday originated in the 1950s as a humorous response to St. Patrick's Day. According to legend, St. Urho (Pyhä Urho in Finnish) saved Finland from a plague of locusts by uttering the phrase: "Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen!" (translated as "Locusts, locusts, get out of here to hell!"). Thanks to his heroic deed, the vineyards of Finland were saved.
The story was fictitious, but quickly gained popularity among the Finnish diaspora. The basis for the holiday was the stories of Richard Mattison and Suom Eilin Mockey, who wanted to emphasize the importance of Finnish culture in a humorous way.
Symbols and attributes
The colors of the holiday are purple and green (purple symbolizes grapes, and green symbolizes nature and agriculture).
Symbols are grape vines and images of locusts.
How do they celebrate?
Processions and parades with people wearing purple and green clothes.
Decorating the premises in thematic colors.
Special dishes and drinks, which often have a purple tint.
Conducting competitions and humorous events related to Finnish culture.