Helsinki Baltic Herring Market attracted 90,000 visitors to the Market Square

In keeping with an almost 300-year-old tradition, Helsinki Baltic Herring Market was held at the Market Square in the first week of October. The market attracted a total of 90,000 visitors during the week. 

Today, 11 October, marks the final day of this year’s Helsinki Baltic Herring Market. Reviving centuries-old market traditions, this event, which offers a fresh autumn atmosphere and delicacies made by fishers themselves, once again attracted tens of thousands of visitors, mainly from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, but also from other parts of Finland.

After a break lasting years, fresh Baltic herring were again on sale at this year’s market. A catch of 300 kg of Baltic herring caught in the Bothnian Sea and sorted in Uusikaupunki was sold well.

The dining areas built at the market enabled visitors to enjoy an even wider variety of hot and cold fish dishes – including sandwiches, pies, soups, savoury fish doughnuts, lampreys and rösti waffles – on site. In addition, the atmospheric holds of the sailing ships served as warm indoor spaces to sample a variety of fish delicacies, pastries, and hot and cold drinks. Besides shopping and culinary experiences, the stands of the Federation of Finnish Fisheries Associations and the Swedish-speaking Martha Association in Finland also attracted market visitors. These stands provide interesting information and lessons on fishing, fish handling and fish identification.

The Secret Herring Orienteering event organised for early childhood education groups on Thursday of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market week attracted around 300 children to learn about autumn market traditions, fish delicacies, Baltic Sea conservation, and fishing as a livelihood. 

Photo: Eeva Anundi