The University of Helsinki will celebrate the beginning of the 2017–2018 academic year on Monday, 4 September 2017, at 12.15. The event will be held in the Great Hall of the University’s Main Building (entrance at Aleksanterinkatu 5).

The celebration in the Great Hall will be open to the public and can be followed live online at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/unitube

The programme will include a speech by Rector Jukka Kola as well as welcoming addresses by the representatives of staff and students: Inkeri Ruokonen, chair of the University of Helsinki lecturers’ association, and Laura Luoto, chair of the University of Helsinki Student Union’s Board.

The celebration will be followed by an ecumenical service at Helsinki Cathedral and a non-denominational event at the National Library of Finland. Professor Martti Nissinen will deliver the sermon at the religious service, while Professor Kari Enqvist will give a speech at the non-denominational event.

Festivities across the City Centre Campus

The traditional festivities of the University and its Student Union will again take place at the City Centre Campus on 4 September from 14 to 18. Events will be held in the Main Building, inside and outside the Porthania building as well as on Fabianinkatu and Yliopistonkatu. The programme will include a formal academic dinner for students on Yliopistonkatu, musical performances, a photography exhibition with a Japanese theme as well as street food and presentations by student organisations. In the afternoon, the UniCafe Porthania stage will feature live performances by Kasper and Gasellit.

For the full programme, see the Student Union’s Facebook page.