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ABOVE: Herring from the Baltic Sea. Helsinki's Baltic Herring Fair arrives in OctoberBaltic herring is to Finns what warm meals are to most other nationalities: it's a dietary staple. Finland shows off the "best" of this delicacy during the centuries-old Baltic Herring fairs, when fishermen from along the coast of Finland assemble at the centers of cities and towns to sell the finest of their catch. The largest and most well-known of these fairs has been held in Helsinki since 1743, making it the oldest traditional event in the capital. Baltic herring is Finland's most important marine product, with both economic and historic significance. Since the 1600s, fishermen have come to sell their wares directly off their boats and from market stalls as the fishing season draws to a close in October. The multi-day fair is an enormous smorgasbord of fresh, salted, pickled, and marinated varieties of Baltic herring. Baltic herring is a smaller cousin of the fish found off the shores of Britain and the east coast of North America. Its meat is softer and the taste more delicate due to the comparatively low salt content of the Baltic Sea. Beyond the traditional salted herring, more exotic herring marinades are available: rowan berry, citrus, and cayenne pepper. You can eat them on the go, with a piece of dark bread typical to the archipelago, or enjoy a full meal in one of the restaurants which trade in a bewildering array of dishes. The selection of products has expanded in the last few years and other fish, such as smoked white fish and lampern can be found in many of the stalls. Juices and jams made of native sea-buckthorn, the bright orange yet acidic berry whose vitamin C content is over 10 times greater than oranges, are also very popular. Fishing for life The oldest Baltic herring fairs in Finland date back to the 1600s. Historically, when the trading of goods was regulated, communities needed to acquire permission to hold a fair. In 1743, Finland was still a part of the Kingdom of Sweden when the royal edict granted Helsinki a herring fair in the beginning of October. The statute covering the matter specified in detail when and where the fair was to be held, and who had the right to attend either as buyers or sellers. The Baltic Herring Fair in October is currently the oldest running traditional event in Helsinki. During the summer months catches of fish were brought into the town by boat, but during the winter the thick ice kept the boats in harbor, and there were no deliveries. Hence the citizens would stock up in the autumn with salted Baltic herring, which provided a ready source of necessary protein over the long winter. The annual Baltic Herring fairs have had special significance in regulating the price of fish. As late as the close of the 19th century, the fair in Helsinki determined the price of salted and pickled fish for the country as a whole. Baltic herring fairs are held along the coastline of Finland throughout the country. The biggest fairs in Helsinki and Turku sell altogether almost 100 000 kilos of fish products every year. Vaasa Baltic Herring and White Fish Fair, 4–5 September 2009 Pori Baltic Herring Fair, 4–6 September 2009 Rauma Baltic Herring Fair, 19–20 September 2009 Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair, 4–10 October 2009 Turku Baltic Herring Fair, 22–25 October 2009 For more information, see the
Visit Finland Web site at www.visitfinland.com. Photo copyright © Per Nilsson.
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