Helsinki Baltic Herring Market has been celebrated in Helsinki since 1743, making it one of Finland's oldest public events. The event kicks off the autumn season in Helsinki and, in keeping with tradition, opens at the Market Square on the first Sunday of October when, at 10am, Mayor Juhana Vartiainen will welcome fishers and visitors to the market from aboard the sailing ship Vivan, which berthed at the Market Square quay. Visitors will be able to buy mouthwatering fish products, savour the market atmosphere and enjoy the traditional programme until Saturday 12 October.
“Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is a fine Helsinki tradition that has been part of the Helsinki autumn landscape for almost 300 years. The Baltic Herring Market was originally intended for people to stock up on food for the winter, but nowadays the event attracts fans of maritime flavours and archipelago culinary culture to savour the autumn market atmosphere at the Market Square. This year, we’re celebrating Helsinki culinary culture and its talented creators, which naturally includes seafood and traditional fishers. For me, Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is one of the most anticipated experiences in the Feast Helsinki food year,” says Mayor Juhana Vartiainen.
This year, Helsinki Baltic Herring Market will attract more than 25 fishers from around Finland, with plenty more fishing boats berthing than last year. Also other traditional artisan, archipelago and bakery products will also be on sale at the Market. In addition to fishing boats, the traditional sailing boats Albanus, Olga, Valborg and Vivan will drop anchor at the Market Square for the Market week where visitors will be able to enjoy delicious fish dishes.
Raising awareness of the protection and sustainable development of the Baltic Sea is one of the key aims of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market. Eating sustainably caught local fish cleans the sea, and buying fish directly from the fishers supports their livelihood. Helsinki Baltic Herring Market aims to enable environmentally friendly operations for both sellers and visitors and to make visible the importance of protecting the Baltic Sea, the consumption potential of local fish and fishing as a livelihood.
Market visitors will also be treated to live music with a maritime flavour
In addition to the Mayor's opening speech, the programme of the opening day of Helsinki Baltic Herring Market includes accordion music with a maritime flavour from Seija Vesterinen. The Baltic Herring row and hike, which will raise money for the protection of the Baltic Sea, will finish in front of the Lyypekinlaituri quay at 12 noon to the beat of the Helsinki Finnish Club's wind orchestra. On Wednesday 9 October, the market will feature Spelmän Ohoj Trio performing folk music at 12 noon, 3pm and 5pm.
Baltic herring jury to award the best products on the opening Sunday
On the opening day of the market, the Baltic herring jury, which has different line-up each year, selects the best products in two categories: Herring Surprise of the Year and Pickled Fish of the Year. The winners will be announced from aboard the sailing ship Vivan on Sunday, 6 October at 4pm.
This year’s Baltic herring jury comprises Tapio Bergström, Chef de cuisine at Fazer, Marjukka Mikkola from the Martha Association, Mark Ikonen, Representative of Helsinki Youth Council, Kai Kilpinen, Master Blender at The Helsinki Distilling Company, Dan Koskinen, Head of Hospitality Division at Helsinki Vocational College, Johanna Laisaari, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, Tom Nylund, journalist and content provider, Heli Saavalainen, journalist at Helsingin Sanomat, Anu Syrmä, Brand, Marketing and Communications Director at Helsinki Partners, Pasi Tuomiranta, Product Development Manager at Palmia Foods, and Harri Veckman, Food Development Manager at Kespro. The results of the Baltic herring jury will be communicated on 6 October.
Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is open at the Market Square from Sunday 6 to Saturday 12 October 2024. The stalls will be open from 9am to 7pm from Sunday to Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is part of Helsinki’s food year 2024. After the Baltic Herring Market on Sunday 13 October, the Market Square will host the 37th traditional Sailing Ship Day.
