The oldest traditional event in Helsinki, the annual Baltic Herring Fair, again tempted large crowds of visitors to the capital's South Harbour on Sunday.
Some vendors said that the prices were the same as last year, while the customers had noticed more or less the same. For example, one carton of Baltic herring in a range of marinades could be bought for about five euros.
Salmon soup with some rye crispbread also cost five euros. The meals sold well, and customers were apparently not afraid of any pollutants or toxins potentially found in the fish in the Gulf of Finland.
On the opening day, the Helsinki Baltic Herring Fair always arranges a herring product competition in two series: the Pickled Fish of the Year and the Baltic Herring Suprise of the Year.
This year, a total of 16 products were competing in the competition. The winner for 2007 in the pickled fish category was Tage Gustafsson from Hanko with his tinned fish. The winner in the surprise of the year category was Martin Tillman from Pellinki.
The Baltic Herring Fair has been arranged in Helsinki every autumn at least since 1743.
The market is open daily from 0.700 to 19.00 on weekdays and from 07.00 to 16.00 on the final day, Saturday, October 13th.
