Ihana kesä! The history of hot Helsinki summers, in pics
Finnish summers are short and sweet, but they sure can be spectacular! It’s important to enjoy every single second of them before the long dark winter comes once again. In Finland, summer appreciation has been turned into an art form — nobody soaks up the sun like the Finns do.
Need some proof? Just take a look at these historical photos of Finns loving the Helsinki summer. Take notes, because you just might learn a thing or two.
Having fun on the water slide at Pihlajasaari, 1969. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Flying the skies at Linnanmäki, 1968. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Sitting on the steps of the cathedral, 1977. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Pekka Punkari 
Darts and sunbathing at the cottage, 1957. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Racz 
A game of croquet at Tapaninkylä, Tapanila, 1928. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Tuntematon 
Hanging out with Havis Amanda, 1973. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Some things never change! A packed Cafe Reggatta, 1962. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Grünberg Constantin 
Sunbathing at Pihlajasaari, 1939. Photo: Helsinki City Museum 
Children in a homemade tent, 1971. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Hakli Kari 
Keeping it cool, 1952. Photo: Helsinki City Museum 
Group photo at Kasinonranta, Lauttasaari, 1923. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Timiriasew Ivan 
Weightlifting at Hietsu, 1952. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Celebrating the Sauna Society’s new sauna at Lauttasaari, 1952. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Gisela von Bonin and a German NSU Fox motorcycle during the Helsinki Olympic games, 1952. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Coffee by the sea in Kallio, 1920. Photo: Helsinki City Museum 
Reading newspapers at the Three Smiths statue, 1968. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Bonin Volker von 
Gymnastics at Hietsu, 1947. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Kannisto Väinö 
More gymnastics at Hietsu, 1947. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Kannisto Väinö 
Summer camp swim classes for the children of Elanto employees in Sompasaari, 1957. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Heinonen Eino 
Two men building playground equipment in East Pasila, 1978. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Ahola Harri 
Feeding the birds at Töölönlahti, 1964. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Grünberg Constantin 
Pihlajasaari beach, 1963. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Grünberg Constantin 
Sitting by the sea at Vuosaari, 1912. Photo: Helsinki City Museum / Elmgren GretaWhich of these is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
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1962 Cafe regatta looks exactly the same as 2017 Cafe Regatta. Some things really do never change
You can tell it’s in the past because people actually look hot :)
The official rule of croquet is that you have to fight about the rules
Love those quaint Finnair adverts on the Linnanmäki airplane rides
Random Finnish Summer Pics: enough nudity to put any site on block lists in schools in most Anglo countries
Funny how all these pics look like a mix of really cool mid-century European and backwater Soviet-block
You can tell they’re historical pics. People actually look like they’re enjoying sunshine
Ihana kesä! The history of hot Helsinki summers, in pics https://t.co/xQuIll76is
Vintage Helsinki, no hipsters, no boomboxes, no hurry.