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Happy Walburgis!

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Happy Walpurgis Night, everyone! The museum is open on Walpurgis Night, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but closed on May 1.

In the past, both the upper and lower ironworks had their own Valburgis bonfires, and their size was a matter of competition. The festivities on the eve also included gunfire or other loud noises. This was an old tradition originating in Sweden, intended to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the arrival of spring. In Fiskars, the Valburgis bonfire tradition began to decline in the early 2000s, as increasing attention was paid to fire safety.

The photo shows the massive May bonfire in Fiskars in 1999. Photographer: Risto Paatero

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