Some years ago, before the tramlines through the city centre caused changes to what areas, bridges and streets can be used for celebrations without causing too much trouble to public services, Suomen neito, Maiden of Finland, had the similar role in the vappu celebrations as Havis Amanda statue and fountain has in Helsinki. At Hämeensilta(a bridge) in Tampere, there is bronze Maiden of Finland around 4.5 metres tall, which was completed in 1929. The idealised and distant maiden also gained special status as a representative of the country’s art abroad. It has been exhibited in exhibitions around the world, including as a plaster version in the Finnish Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. In Finland, disapproval was expressed that a sculpture of a naked woman was sent to a representative event. It was, however, selected as the most beautiful work of art at the exhibition.
You starter saying praising words about sima, which was a bit surprising for me, since those industrial made brands are just about always disappointing for me. But then you mentioned homemade sima and the varieties, which made it more understandable for me. Someone might like the mass-produced products from stores. They wouldn't sell those, if nobody would buy those. And of course they must have tried to tailor the taste to some popular demand. But homemade varieties are much more interesting, if done well. It has some sentimental value for me. I admit being biased about this.
