This year, the opening of the academic year will be celebrated in the Great Hall of the University from 12.15 (entrance at Unioninkatu 34 or Aleksanterinkatu 5). The University leadership and staff will convene at 11.55 for an academic procession outside Christina Hall on the second floor of the Main Building (dress code: dark suit and doctoral hat).
The programme of the opening ceremony will include an opening address by Rector Sari Lindblom, the handover of the keys to the University, and greetings by the staff and the Student Union delivered by Jonna Kangas, Vice-Chair of the University of Helsinki Lecturers’ Association HYL, and Aleksi Tujunen, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. Music for the opening ceremony will be performed by the quartet of the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra and Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat (YL Male Choir). In addition, dance and mime artist Kati Lehtola (Auraco) will perform at the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony will also be live-streamed on the University of Helsinki’s YouTube channel.
The opening ceremony will be followed by an ecumenical service in Helsinki Cathedral (Unioninkatu 29) and a non-denominational ceremony in the Cupola Hall of the National Library of Finland (Unioninkatu 36), with Bishop Teemu Laajasalo giving the sermon at the church service and Professor Elina Oinas a speech at the non-denominational event. After the opening ceremony, the academic procession to the Cathedral and the National Library commences from the Main Building of the University.
After the church service and the non-denominational event, refreshments will be served on the second floor of the Main Building at 14.15.
A warm welcome to the opening of the academic year!
At 11.55
The University leadership and staff will convene at 11.55 for an academic procession outside Christina Hall on the second floor of the Main Building (dress code: dark suit and doctoral hat).
Procession music: Sibelius: Andante Festivo, Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra
PROGRAMME
At 12.15, Great Hall
Key ceremony
OPENING ADDRESS
Rector Sari Lindblom
SPEECHES BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STAFF AND THE STUDENT UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
Vice-Chair Jonna Kangas,
University of Helsinki's Lecturer's Association (HYL)
Chair of the Board Aleksi Tujunen,
The Student Union of the University of Helsinki
YL Male Choir (Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat)
Dance and mime artist Kati Lehtola (Auraco)
Dress code: dark suit or business attire (staff and guests who are not participating in the academic procession).
At 13.15 (approx.)
After the opening ceremony, the academic procession to the Cathedral and the National Library commences from the Main Building of the University.
At 13.30
Ecumenical service at the Helsinki Cathedral (Unioninkatu 29)
Sermon: Bishop Teemu Laajasalo
At 13.30
Non-denominational ceremony at the National Library (Unioninkatu 36)
Speech: Professor Elina Oinas
Music: Duo Valo: Tia Svanberg, vocals ja Marja Nevankallio, kantele
At 14.15
After the church service and the non-denominational event, refreshments will be served on the second floor of the Main Building at 14.15.
Opening carnival on the City Centre Campus begins at 14.00
At the carnival, both new and old students of the University will get a chance to explore the diverse range of organisations operating under the Student Union. Read more about the opening carnival on the Student Union website.