Havis Amanda was also guarded this spring.
The Havis Amanda fountain in Helsinki’s Market Square was fenced on Sunday with high plywood fences.
City Culture and Leisure vs. Industry Director Laura Aalto said on Saturday that the intention is to protect the fountain and sculptures from the celebrants. The old and fragile statue is estimated to suffer from the weight of climbers.
When Finland secured the historic fourth hockey world championship, guards and police were also present to protect the fountain. There were also construction site fences in front of the high plywood fence, behind which the guards supervised the celebration.
However, that did not stop the most eager from trying by force. As the Market Square began to fill with the golden festivities, the crowd quickly began to shout, encouraging them to break the fence and rush through it.
– Release Manta! shouted a goldsmith.
After a few failed attempts, the partygoers finally broke through the protective fences at about one o’clock at night and climbed into the fountain.
The story continues after the pictures
The protective fences did not prevent climbing until the end. Antti Nikkanen
No more to the fountain: Manta was protected from Sunday’s golden festivities by high plywood fences. Antti Nikkanen
This is how Manta was guarded. Antti Nikkanen
A few partygoers tried through the fences. Antti Nikkanen
The guards had to block the most enthusiastic seekers of the fountain. Antti Nikkanen
Torches were also seen at the Golden Festival. Antti Nikkanen
The fountain could not be climbed, but the bus stop was reached. Antti Nikkanen
They also climbed on the street signs. Antti Nikkanen
For most of the partygoers, fencing the fountain didn’t seem to bother. Antti Nikkanen
The fate of the fountain has begun to worry the city even more now that Finland has won the hockey championships at a faster pace than before.
Havis Amanda’s sculpture and fountain are one of Helsinki’s most popular public works of art. Its varnishing is the most popular event in Helsinki’s May Day.