Colors of Lahti - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Lahti residents have a very friendly, hospitable and calm character. Most of the year, peace and tranquility reigns in the city streets, which can only be disturbed by holidays or noisy fairs taking place here. The townspeople are distinguished by highly conservative behavior, which affects various aspects of daily life.

One of the main traits that many foreign tourists notice immediately is their unhurried and quiet speech. It is not customary for locals to show strong emotions and raise the voice, so even heated debate looks like a peaceful discussion to others. When communicating, locals usually look into each other’s eyes, and looking away can be regarded as a sign of slyness. It is not customary to interrupt the interlocutor, such behavior is considered one of the main signs of bad manners.

Residents of Lahti are known for their great hospitality, they are always well prepared to receive guests. It is customary to greet guests with a rich table, on which they have the most delicious treats and drinks. According to local traditions, those invited to somebody's home should bring some small gifts for the hosts. Interestingly, locals are especially pleased with the gifts that were made in their home country, while souvenirs and gifts from distant countries can hardly impress them. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Residents of Lahti are distinguished by punctuality that even ordinary travelers can notice. Shops and banks open here exactly at the appointed time and public transport always runs according to the schedule. No matter what the reason for the meeting is, it is not customary to be late here, so even lovers meet each other exactly at the agreed time. To make a good impression on the locals, it is enough just to follow the generally-known rules of etiquette and try to be polite in any situation.

The traditional way of greeting used by local people may also seem unduly restrained to many foreign guests. Both men and women simply shake each other's hands, while hugs and other expressive ways of greeting are not accepted in the local culture. In general, any manifestation of emotions and feelings in crowded places is not accepted, and this feature is characteristic of people of all ages.

The inhabitants of Lahti are big defenders of nature in all its manifestations. It is extremely rare to see stray animals on the streets. Parks and nature reserves are always kept clean and well-maintained, and in recent years, hunting has been completely prohibited in most natural parks. Nevertheless, fishing has remained one of the main hobbies of townspeople. In the vicinity of the city, there are many picturesque lakes. Traditional Finnish baths equipped near some of the lakes are never empty, regardless of the season.

Despite the conservatism and reverent attitude to their cultural traditions, Lahti residents are still not indifferent to modern cultural trends. A lot of interesting and noisy holidays are held here throughout the year. The festival of modern music SummerUp has become one of the most famous events. Music bands of various genres take part in the festival that is held every year in the summer. The permanent venue for the music festival is the shore of Lake Vesijärvi where large open-air stages are set up for performers right by the water. The modern music festival was first organized just a few years ago, and now it is one of the largest and most famous in the region.

Every summer, the festival is visited by over 30,000 people for whom a diverse entertainment program is available during the festival. The festival is held in a very picturesque natural area, surrounded by green meadows and fields. Here you will find a lot of beautiful places for walking, as well as picnicking and sunbathing areas equipped right next to the stages. The popular festival is always attended by graffiti artists and professional dancers who give master classes for all comers. Many come to the lake to ride a bungee or play frisbee to the sounds of music.

Along with such bright and modern holidays, festivals devoted to classical culture are held in Lahti too. For more than 20 years, the city has been a permanent venue for a classical music festival, which bears the name of the great composer Sibelius. The city has its symphony orchestra, whose performances become the main event of the festival. Lahti is a very cozy, hospitable and modernly attractive city, the special atmosphere of which is sure to make the holiday unforgettable.