The popular family event was organized on Saturday 24.9.2022 for the seventeenth time, and was once again blessed with brilliant sunshine and many happy visitors.

The first thing that met the visitor was a square of Söderlångvik farm’s apples. The tastings were very popular and helped those interested to find their favorite variety.

– Both the sales and the atmosphere during the day exceeded our expectations once again. The customers were in a good mood and clearly enjoyed buying our fine apples. We had prepared for a large number of visitors, but some varieties still ran out, says a satisfied Chief gardener Karin Arfman.

Self-picking is a popular way to buy the autumnal delicacies. Photo: Cata Portin

However, the apples are not out of stock for a long time – when the Manor’s own direct sales close for the winter, the products will be available both in the local stores, in Björknäs Trädgård’s direct sales and in the Söderlångvik Glass shop in the Glaspalatset in Helsinki.

Among the most photographed elements on Apple Day are the autumnal decorations that were in various places in the park. These works of art have been created by Petra Barre-Cygnel and Pia Holm, who are both seasonal workers on the apple farm. Barre-Cygnel and Holm have also collaborated in ”Esters blomhage” (Eng. Ester’s flower garden), a nature project in Västanfjärd that many people became familiar with during the summer.

Söderlångvik Manor was dressed in party clothes by Petra Barre-Cygnel and Pia Holm. Photo: Hanna Vuorio-Wilson
  • It was a couple of intense days, but I am so grateful to be able to use my creativity at work in this way, Barre-Cygnel rejoiced after the event.

The market area had grown and this time stretched all the way from the restaurant Café Söderlångvik to the beach. The food artisans, including recent FM medalists Rosendalen and Närboden, were centered in the middle of the area and flanked by other artisans closer to the restaurant and down on the lawn next to the main building. There you could also follow work demonstrations by the blacksmith Rolf Eriksson from Västergårds Hantverk in Korpo, who was at the Apple Day for the first time.

The market continued all the way down to the beach, where you could see the work of a traditional blacksmith, Rolf Eriksson from Korpo, among other things. Photo: Hanna Vuorio-Wilson

On the beach promenade, people got to try fire extinguishing with Dragsfjärd’s HOBK, get to know the sea rescue boat Mona and discuss forest management with, among others, the Forestry Centre. Riding the Shetland pony Tuukka from Lindbacka Stall was also very popular, and those who were too big to try him got to test all sorts of interesting machines from Hydroforest, Sporttikone and Strandells el.

One of the highlights for the children was little Tuukka. The beach promenade offered something exciting for both young and old. Photo: Hanna Vuorio-Wilson
  • Thumbs up and thanks for Apple Day this year, saud Janette Jägerskiöld from Västanfjärd, who came to visit with her daughters. The girls enjoyed the concert, going into the museum and the pony rides. I thought it was nice when the sales stalls were closer to the museum and the beach and also nice decorations here and there. And best of all, parking ran smoothly!

This year, two familiar favorites and a newcomer took to the music stage. The local cover band Kake & Co has this year received the Axel prize for the year’s cultural act on Kimitoön, and they are always a valued part of the Apple Day, as is the children’s favorite Arne Alligator. The Jonathan Bäckström Quartet was a lovely new addition, an ensemble consisting of young jazz musicians and rising talents from Finland and Sweden, led by the Kronoby-born bassist and composer Jonathan Bäckström. The concert given in Söderlångvik was part of the Finnish Jazz Association’s project for climate-neutral tour operations.

Jonathan Bäckström Quartet on stage. Photo: Cata Portin
No Apple Day without Arne Alligator, who always receives a warm welcome from a large crowd of families. Photo: Hanna Vuorio-Wilson
The Manor is a nice and atmospheric setting for the harvest and craft market. Photo: Cata Portin
Apple Day artwork by Petra Barre-Cygnel and Pia Holm. Photo: Cata Portin

Söderlångvik’s museum broke visitor records once again with 1,350 people who familiarized themselves with the museum during the course of the day. Amos Anderson’s cinema hall on the lower floor showed a 15-minute short film by Sami van Ingen, the guides presented the museum to interested listeners, and as the finishing touch, a piano concert with Chopin’s etudes by pianist Markus Ollila from the Music Institute Arkipelag was offered.

Last item on the program. Pianist Markus Ollila talks to an impressed audience in Amos Anderson’s music salon at the Söderlångvik Museum. Photo: Hanna Vuorio-Wilson

On the dot at 5 p.m., Apple Day ended when the last notes rang out and were met with appreciative applause from an enraptured crowd of listeners who had gathered in the beautiful music hall to enjoy the last program of the day. A visibly satisfied pianist finished by telling us a little about the music.

– It was very nice to be able to come to Söderlångvik Manor and play, there is a very nice atmosphere here, the happy pianist managed before he was dragged away by listeners who wanted to ask about his newly released recording of the etudes.

Restaurant Café Söderlångvik and Söderlångvik Museum are open until 30.9.2022 and thank all visitors for a great season. The Manor’s park and nature trails are open to visitors all year round. The harvest festival Apple Day will come again next year, on the last Saturday in September.