With some changes and adaptations, conferment ceremonies have been part of Finnish academic traditions throughout the centuries. It is rare for any festive ceremony to remain largely unchanged since the early days of its inception. Conferment ceremonies are indeed a prime example of truly well-preserved intangible cultural heritage. The tradition of confirming master’s degrees was added to the Finnish National Inventory of Living Heritage in 2017.
Conferment ceremonies date back to the Middle Ages: The universities of Bologna and Paris held such ceremonies as early as the 13th century. At the University of Helsinki, formerly the Academy of Turku from 1640 to 1827 and the Imperial Alexander University of Finland from 1827 to 1918, the practice of holding conferment ceremonies was established early, as the first ceremonial conferment of degrees was held by the Faculty of Philosophy in 1643, only three years after the founding of the Academy. Since then, the tradition has continued almost uninterrupted and has been adopted by other faculties and universities. The conferment ceremony of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Helsinki continues to be the largest such ceremony in Finland.
At the Academy of Turku, the conferment ceremonies of the Faculty of Philosophy were celebrated in an almost unchanged manner as one-day events for conferring only master’s degrees until the early 19th century. The ceremony began with a get-together at the conferrer’s home, from where the graduands walked in a procession to the Academy building to be conferred with their degrees by the conferrer. Many features of present-day conferment ceremonies, such as processions and the ceremonial question presented to the highest ranking master graduand, were already present in these early ceremonies. The symbolism related to conferment ceremonies has also been preserved unchanged throughout the centuries. For instance, the laurel wreath served as the symbol of the achievements of master’s graduates already in the 18th century. Likewise, the ceremony itself continues to start with the conferrer’s speech and end with the speech by the second highest ranking graduand. The conferment festivities included three events: the ceremony of conferring degrees, a church service and a banquet. The Academy operated in modest settings and degrees were conferred on men only.
In the 19th century, the University played a central role in society with conferment ceremonies and other academic festivities being almost the only public celebrations in the Grand Duchy of Finland. These festivities offered the political elite and educated class an opportunity to get together at a time of underdeveloped media and long distances. Consequently, conferment ceremonies had great social and national significance. In the course of the 19th century, the conferment ceremony traditions acquired many features that have survived to date, such as the conferment of jubilee masters and the conferment of doctoral degrees at the same ceremony with the conferment of master’s degrees. In the 1850s singing the national anthem of Finland became an established part of the ceremonies, and in the 1870s, the duration of the celebrations stretched to three or four days. New events were added, such as the conferment ball in the 1880s, when a perfect venue became available with the completion of a new student building (today known as the Old Student House). This also meant that conferment ceremonies attracted more participants and evolved into grand social events. The history of these ceremonies is well known because the press covered them extensively.
Specifically Finnish features
Gradually the practice of conferring master’s degrees at conferment ceremonies died out in other countries while in Finland the festivities developed features of their own. One uniquely Finnish speciality is the selection of the ceremonial or official wreath weaver (originally wreath weaveress). Master's conferment ceremonies in Helsinki were already seen in the 1840s as a Finnish tradition that strengthened Finnish national identity. At the same time, master's conferment ceremonies had already disappeared from universities in many other countries, but in Finland, the academic conferment festivities and their symbols were associated with patriotism and therefore preserved. During the Faculty of Philosophy's 1850 conferment ceremony, the song Vårt land ("Our Land") was sung at the end of the conferment act for the first time, becoming an established part of the conferment programme. At the same time, because of the nationalistic spirit, the whole tradition was threatened by the tense relations between the Russian regime and the Finns. In fact, the arrangement of conferment ceremonies was possible only with the consent of the Russian Emperor.
Once Finland became independent, the tradition could continue uninterrupted. The first ceremonial conferment of degrees in the newly independent Finland took place in 1919. After the Second World War, there was an altogether 14-year break in arranging conferment ceremonies; the previous break of equal duration goes back to the 18th century and the time of the Great Northern War. After such a long pause the arrangements proved challenging, for the many minute details of the ceremony were almost forgotten. This gave rise to the practice of putting together a commemorative publication of each conferment ceremony held. In the 1970s the conferment of degrees was considered old-fashioned and elitist, and the ceremonies became more low-key. However, in the 1980s attitudes changed, and conferment ceremonies rose to new heights in popularity.
Conferment ceremonies have their roots in European academic traditions, but developed into a specifically Finnish cultural phenomenon. Throughout the centuries, it has been agreed that celebrating the achievements of master's and doctoral graduates in a splendid manner is part and parcel of academic life. The tradition of conferment ceremonies has been considered to be a valuable component of Finnish academia, retaining its vigour even through difficult times. Yet, the tradition has evolved in new directions as each ceremony and its organising committee have attempted to add a new touch to the centuries-old ritual.
The Faculty of Social Sciences was established on the very day the Second World War ended. The post-war world required new kinds of education for modern positions. In its early years, the faculty’s ceremonies were marked by the heavy personal experiences of war. The first Conferrer, Dean Hugo E. Pipping, spoke in 1950 of the silence of the fallen, a silence that speaks louder than words and music (ad hoc translation from original Swedish):
“We remember with gratitude and without bitterness those who should have stood among us today. Their modest, silent absence speaks with a voice more powerful than words or festive music: of fidelity and ideals, of the strength of learning and of the individual to endure sacrifice and to transform defeat into a victory of the spirit.”
After the Conferment Act, ceremonial cannon shots and the graduands’ wreath-laying at the heroes’ graves were part of the programme across three generations and 13 conferments between 1950 and 2011. In 2016, the wreath-laying was replaced by a speech reminding the fourth generation, Generation Y, that they were the first without even their grandparents’ direct connection to the horrors of war. Due to the war in Ukraine, and to avoid misunderstandings, the conferment of 2022 omitted the traditional ceremonial cannon fire.
Conferment ceremonies of the Faculty of Social Sciences have always engaged with contemporary societal issues, although they were not explicitly formulated as themes until the turn of the millennium. Since the 2000s, each conferment of the Faculty of Social Sciences has had a specific theme chosen by the committee:
All conferments have been held in Helsinki.
1. 31.5.1950
2. 31.5.1956
3. 31.5.1961
4. 25.5.1966
5. 27.5.1971
6. 28.5.1976
7. 22.5.1981
8. 23.5.1986
9. 18.5.1990
10. 26.5.1995
11. 26.5.2001
12. 27.5.2006
13. 3.6.2011
14. 27.5.2016
15. 20.5.2022
16. 22.5.2026
1949
Karl Robert Brotherus, Professor of Political Science and Rector of the University. The Faculty meeting granted him the title of Honorary Doctor without a ceremony, and he passed away a couple of months later.
1950
Juho Kusti Paasikivi, President of the Republic of Finland.
1955
Hugo Edvard Pipping, Professor of Economics and the first Dean of the Faculty. Faculty ceremonial meeting in honour of the Faculty’s 10th anniversary.
1956
Eino Jutikkala, Professor of Finnish and Nordic History, University of Helsinki.
Risto Ryti, President.
Eino Kaila, Professor.
Rickard Sandler, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Governor.
John Vuorinen, Professor, Columbia University, New York, United States.
1961
Georg Gripenberg, Ambassador.
Eino H. Laurila, Master of Arts, Head of Department.
Torgny Segerstedt, Professor, Rector of Uppsala University, Sweden.
1966
Paavo Mustala, Social Counsellor.
Jan Tinbergen, Professor, the Netherlands.
Georg Henrik von Wright, Academician.
1971
Gunnar Myrdal, Professor, Sweden.
Carl Harald Cramer, Professor, Sweden.
Stein Rokkan, Professor, Norway.
Max Jakobsson, Ambassador.
Mauno Heikki Rauramo, Director of Administration.
Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich, Professor, Soviet Union.
Heikki Waris, Professor.
1976
James William Fulbright, Senator Emeritus, United States.
Inkeri Anttila, Professor of Criminal Law, University of Helsinki, Director of the Institute of Criminology, and Minister of Justice in the caretaker government of 1975.
Kenneth J. Arrow, Professor, United States.
Wolf H. Halsti, Colonel (retired).
Sven Lindman, Professor.
Ernst Söderlund, Professor, Stockholm University, Sweden.
1981
Alva Myrdal.
Edmond Malinvaud.
Lolo Krusius-Ahrenberg, Professor.
Lauri Aadolf Puntila, Professor.
Arvo Soininen, Professor.
Kai Warras, Secretary General of the Finnish Red Cross.
1986
Mauno Koivisto, President of the Republic of Finland.
David Cox, Professor, London, England, United Kingdom.
S. N. Eisenstadt, Professor, Jerusalem, Israel.
Rom Harré, Professor, University of Oxford, England, United Kingdom.
Kurt Jansson, UN Assistant Secretary-General.
George F. Kennan, Professor, United States.
György Ránki, Professor, Hungary.
Magdalena Sokolowska, Professor, Poland.
James Tobin, Professor, United States.
1990
Jean-Baptiste Duroselle, Professor, University of Paris I, France.
Robert M. Solow, Professor, United States. Nobel Prize in Economics, 1987.
Wlodzimierz Wesolowski, Sociologist, Poland.
Tatjana Zaslavskaja, Soviet Union.
Rozanne Ridgeway, former US Ambassador to Finland.
Pehr Gyllenhammar, CEO of Volvo Group.
Veijo Meri, Author.
Ensio Siilasvuo, Lieutenant General.
1995
Robert Audi, Professor, Nebraska, United States.
Aatos Juho Michel Erkko, Chairman of the Board, Sanoma Oy.
Vladimir Alexandrovich Jadov, Director of the Institute of Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
Rita Liljeström, Professor, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Assar Lindbeck, Professor, Stockholm, Sweden.
James Thomas Lull, Professor, San José State University, United States.
Jorma Jaakko Ollila, Executive Vice President of Nokia.
Antoni Rajkiewicz, Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland.
Ene-Margit Tiit, University of Tartu, Estonia.
2000
Galina M. Andrejeva
Brenda Dervin
Jaakko Iloniemi
Vytautas Landsbergis
Marja-Liisa Swantz
Martin Krister Wahlbäck
2006
Martti Ahtisaari, president.
Willem Doise
Boris M. Firsov
Harri Holkeri
Aulikki Kananoja
Mervyn King
Olle Krantz
Marju Lauristin
Carole Pateman
Timo Relander
Nicholas Rescher
Dame Marilyn Strathern
2011
Heli Jeskanen-Sundström
Antti Karppinen
Paavo Lipponen
Hilkka Pietilä
Vappu Taipale
Thandika Mkandawire
Shalom Schwartz
Hans-Werner Sinn
Dora María Téllez
Göran Therborn
B. Vivekandan
Kari Waerness
2016
Ljudmila Aleksejeva
Mahzarin Banaji
Kenneth Binmore
Kalle Könkkölä
Douglas Maynard
Evert Vedung
2022
Jane Humphries, Professor Emerita, All Souls College, University of Oxford, England, United Kingdom.
Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, Professor, Princeton, United States.
Erkki Liikanen, Master of Social Sciences, Emeritus Governor of the Bank of Finland and Emeritus EU Commissioner.
Ann Pettifor, Economist.
Laurent Thévenot, Professor, École des hautes études en sciences sociales, Paris, France.
1950 Hugo Edvard Pipping, Professor of Economics.
1956 Bruno Kaarle Suviranta, Professor of Economics.
1961 Matti Niilo Rafael Leppo, Professor of Economics, especially Finance.
1966 Heikki Tapio Waris, Professor of Social Policy.
1971 Lauri Aadolf Puntila, Professor of Political History.
1976 Lauri Olavi af Heurlin, Professor of Economics.
1981 Gösta Mickwitz, Professor of Economics.
1986 Kullervo Rainio, Professor of Social Psychology.
1990 Jouko Juhani Kyösti Paunio, Professor of Economics.
1995 Yrjö Vartia, Professor of Economics, especially Econometrics.
2000 Hannu Niemi, Professor of Statistics.
2006 Leif Åberg, Professor of Organisational Communication.
2011 Seppo Hentilä, Professor of Political History.
2016 Jan Sundberg, Professor of Political Science.
2022 Anssi Peräkylä, Professor of Sociology.
2026 Sarah Green, Professor of Sociology.
1950 Professor Matti Leppo
1956 Professor L. A. Puntila
1961 Professor Jaakko Hintikka
1966 Professor Jouko Paunio
1971 Assistant Professor Elina Haavio-Mannila
1976 Professor Göran von Bonsdorff
1981 Acting Professor Martti Noponen
1986 Professor Hannu Niemi
1990 Doctor of Social Sciences Martti Turtola
1995 Docent Martti Häikiö
2000 Professor Leif Åberg
2006 Professor Riitta Jallinoja
2011 Professor Anne Haila
2016 Professor Sarah Green
2022 Professor Åsa von Schoultz
2026 Professor Juhana Aunesluoma
1950 Dr L. A. Puntila
1956 Docent Tuure Junnila
1961 Dr Jaakko Nousiainen
1966 Dr Kullervo Killinen
1971 Acting Professor Martti Noponen
1976 Docent Risto Seppälä
1981 Docent Martti Häikiö
1986 Docent Klaus Helkama
1990 Docent Riitta Jallinoja
1995 Docent Leif Åberg
2000 Docent Kaisa Kauppinen
2006 Professor Tuomas Forsberg
2011 University Lecturer Ullamaija Seppälä
2016 Docent Nelli Hankonen
2022 Associate Professor Maija Jäppinen
2026 Professor Minna van Gerven
1950 Veikko O. Lehtonen
1956 Klaus M. Törnudd
1961 Heimo J. Järvinen
1966 Arto O. Mansala
1971 Klaus E. Helkama
1976 Jarmo K. Viljakainen
1981 K. Peter Stenlund
1986 Timo K. Rajakangas
1990 Pekka J. Pere
1995 Piia Heinämäki
2000 Mari Soikkeli
2006 Maija Jäppinen
2011 Olli Hyvärinen
2016 Maarit Olkkola
2022 Elina Uutela
1950 Unto K. Partanen
1956 Elina Haavio
1961 V. Aarre M. Heikkilä
1966 E. J. V. Kalle Lehtovuori
1971 Irja Eskola
1976 Voitto S. Huotari
1981 Tuulikki Sotamaa
1986 Marjo Riitta Manner
1990 Pekka T. Martikainen
1995 Heikki Hautsalo
2000 Laura Vartia
2006 Nelli Hankonen
2011 Salla-Maaria Laaksonen
2016 Hanna Buchwald
2022 Sini Järnström
1950 Göran E. von Bonsdorff
1956 Armas V. Nieminen
1961 Pertti A. Pesonen
1966 E. Olavi Riihinen
1971 Valma Oili Marjatta Marin
1976 Asko J. Puumalainen
1981 Seppo M. S. Honkapohja
1986 Markku A. J. Rahiala
1990 Markku J. Kivinen
1995 Mika Widgrén
2000 Hannu Vartiainen
2006 Timo Vesala
2011 Inari Sakki
2016 Jyri Liukko
2022 Hannu Lahtinen
1950 – in this conferment, only one Doctor of Social Sciences was conferred.
1956 Erik A. Allardt
1961 Kalevi T. M. Heinilä
1966 Olavi A. Borg
1971 R. Erkki O. Pihkala
1976 Juhani Laurinkari
1981 Jorma J. Miettinen
1986 Riitta Inkeri Jallinoja
1990 Eino J. E. Ketola
1995 Lennard Sillanpää
2000 Pekka Aula
2006 Susanna Fellman
2011 Hanna Wass
2016 Maija Jäppinen
2022 Haoxuan Sa
1950 Veli Verkko, Professor of Sociology.
1956 Jan-Magnus Jansson, Professor of Political Science.
1961 Pentti Pöyhönen, Professor of Economics.
1966 Lauri Aadolf Puntila, Professor of Political History.
1971 Kullervo Rainio, Professor of Social Psychology.
1976 Keijo Korhonen, Professor of Political History.
1981 Olavi Riihinen, Professor of Social Policy.
1986 Erkki Koskela, Professor of Economics, especially Finance.
1990 Yrjö Vartia, Professor of Economics, especially Econometrics.
1995 Pertti Tiihonen, Professor of Mass Communication.
2000 Seppo Hentilä, Professor of Political History.
2006 Mirja Satka, Professor of Social Work.
2011 Heikki Patomäki, Professor of World Politics.
2016 Sakari Saaritsa, Docent of Social History.
2022 Mervi Pantti, Professor of Communication.
1950 Jussi Teljo, Professor of Political Science.
1956 Heikki Waris, Professor of Social Policy.
1961 Jan-Magnus Jansson, Professor of Political Science.
1966 Erik Allardt, Professor of Sociology.
1971 Paavo Seppänen, Professor of Sociology.
1976 Pertti Pesonen, Professor of Political Science.
1981 Ahti Molander, Professor of Economics, especially Econometrics.
1986 Jouko Paunio, Professor of Economics.
1990 Elina Haavio-Mannila, Acting Professor of Sociology.
1995 Seppo Honkapohja, Professor of Economics.
2000 Seppo Honkapohja, Professor of Economics.
2006 Vesa Kanniainen, Professor of Economics.
2011 Anna-Maija Pirttilä-Backman, Professor of Social Psychology.
2016 Ullamaija Seppälä, Vice-Dean, University Lecturer in Social Policy.
2022 Hanna Wass, Vice-Dean, University Lecturer in Political Science.
1950 Veikko H. Sjöblom
1956 Eero M. Häkli
1961 Risto S. Varjonen
1966 Mauri K. Elovainio
1971 Osmo J. Tuomala
1976 Tuula Maj-Lis Linnainmaa
1981 Timo T. Salo
1986 Raimo K. Oksa
1990 Arja Kosonen
1995 Sari Lehtiranta
2000 Janne Hirsto
2006 Arto Aniluoto
2011 Vilja Rydman
2016 Jussi Nuortimo
2022 Juuli Hilska, Laura Luoto & Rosa Salmivuori
2026 Jyrki Rantanen, vice gratists Linda-Liisa Kelokari ja Katja Laine
1950 Leea Vannas
1956 Eva-Maija Kaila
1961 Sinikka Puntila
1966 Marja Anneli af Heurlin
1971 Eva von Bonsdorff
1976 Päivi Pesonen
1981 Pauline von Bonsdorff
1986 Marina Ekholm
1990 Maaria Helkama
1995 Laura Helkama
2000 Aino Honkapohja
2006 Laura Nordenstreng
2011 lääketieteen ylioppilas Paula Vartia, daughter of professor Yrjö Vartian
2016 Tuomas Lento-Hukkinen
2022 Maunu Aunesluoma, son of professor Juhana Aunesluoman
1950 F. E. Sillanpää - Maa ja ihminen ja yhteiskunta
1956 Lauri Viljanen - Laakerijuhla
1961 Aila Meriluoto - Homo Regens
1966 Lauri Nummi - Arpakuviot
1971 P. Mustapää - Corona Triumphalis
1976 Viljo Kajava - Vaeltajat
1981 Pentti Nieminen - Matkalla
1986 - No poem.
1990 Arvo Salo - Euroopan viisas vuosi
1995 Jyrki Kiiskinen - Juhlaruno
2000 Kristina Carlson - St. Quentinin tie ja kolme välinäytöstä.
2006 Peter Mickwitz - Räkna rösternä.
2011 Olli Sinivaara - Purkautuva satama.
2016 No formal conferment poem was presented; at the secular ceremony Edith Södergran’s poem The Joy of Existence was read, and during the nocturnal procession Maarit Olkkola’s rewording Conferment Friends, based on Paula Vesala’s song Summer Friends, was performed.
2022 - No poem.
1950 Bishop of Tampere Eelis Gulin
1956 Bishop of Kuopio Eino Sormunen
1961 Field Bishop Toivo Laitinen
1966 Professor of Church History Mikko Juva
1971 Professor of Contemporary Church History and Church Sociology Paavo Kortekangas
1976 Docent Voitto Huotari
1981 Pastor Jaakko Palomurto
1986 Bishop of Porvoo Erik Vikström
1990 Bishop of Helsinki Samuel Lehtonen
1995 Professor of Church Sociology Jouko Sihvo
2000 Bishop of Kuopio Wille Riekkinen
2006 Professor of Social Ethics Jaana Hallamaa
2011 Bishop of Helsinki Irja Askola
2016 Parish Vicar of Kallio, Assessor Teemu Laajasalo
2022 Parish Vicar of Kallio Riikka Reina
1950–1986, 2016
Work: Vapautettu kuningatar (The Captive Queen)
Composer: Jean Sibelius
Text: Paavo Cajander
Details: Performed in 1950, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1986. Originally commissioned for the centenary of J. V. Snellman’s birth in 1906. Performed again in 2016 by Ensemble Norma.
1990
Work: Corona Triumphalis
Composer: Ari Vakkilainen
Text: P. Mustapää’s conferment poem from the 1971 conferment.
Details: World premiere.
1995
Work: Matkalla, Op. 49, for mixed choir, string orchestra/quintet, and percussion
Composer: Jouni Kaipainen
Text: Pertti Nieminen’s conferment poem Matkalla from the 1981 conferment.
Details: World premiere.
2000
Work: In Stadio Laboris
Composer: Jukka Linkola
Text: Lauri Otonkoski et al. (six parts by different authors)
Details: World premiere. Parts: I In stadio laboris, II Olen valmis todeksi tehty, III Sicut dulcedo mellis, IV Olenko?, V Rerum hoc exigit Natura, VI Kaikkiin suuntiin.
2006
Work: Myrsky, Fantasy for mixed choir and orchestra, Op. 20
Composer: Mikko Nisula
Text: Adapted from a poem by Eino Leino
Performers: Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajat and Akateeminen Laulu
Details: World premiere.
2011
Work: HUMN, Maestoso for string orchestra
Composer: Verneri Pohjola
Performer: Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajat
Details: World premiere.
2022
No cantata.
The conferment festivities begin with the celebration of Flora Day on 13 May, when the master graduands hold a Latin-language meeting to select the official wreath weaver. The official wreath weaver is the offspring of a University professor or other significant academic, and the nomination is the graduands’ way of showing respect to the person in question. The selection is followed by a ceremonial proposal, and when the nominated wreath weaver consents to their task, they join the graduands in a procession to the Kumtähti field to commemorate the first performance of the Finnish national anthem Maamme (Our Land). The event is concluded in a festive picnic lunch spiced by speeches.
The actual conferment ceremony is a three-day celebration in late May or early June. The dress code is extremely strict with most events requiring evening attire. On the first day, Thursday, preparations are made for the ceremony by weaving the laurel wreaths for the master graduands and symbolically whetting the swords of doctoral graduands and honorary doctors. These activities conclude in garland-weaving and sword-whetting dinners including a number of speeches. Whether these multilingual speeches that are carefully prepared in advance discuss the field represented by the speaker or some topical social issue, they constitute an integral part of the conferment ceremony tradition.
The second day, Friday, is the climax of the festivities with the solemn conferment of degrees in the Great Hall of the University’s Main Building. The act of conferring degrees is performed like a well-rehearsed play in which the participants, the master and doctoral graduands, receive the insignia of their academic degrees according to a precise choreography. First, the graduands, their companions and the representatives of the University enter the Great Hall in processions formed in strict order. After the conferrer’s speech, the highest ranking master and doctoral graduands must answer a ceremonial question pertaining to their respective field of study. When their answers have been approved, the conferment of degrees may begin. The graduands follow a strictly planned choreography when ascending to the conferrer’s podium to receive the insignia of their degrees: the conferrer places a laurel wreath on the master graduands’ head and touches their golden master’s ring. In the same manner, the doctoral graduands receive their doctoral hats and swords. During the ceremony, the orchestra usually plays music by Finnish classical composers. Indeed, music plays an important role in the ceremony: the programme always includes at least the Conferment March and Andante Festivo by Sibelius. Often, new compositions are commissioned (most often a conferment cantata) to be performed for the very first time in the ceremony.
The conferment of degrees concludes with the second highest ranking master graduand’s speech to the fatherland. Then, two processions leave the Great Hall, one to Helsinki Cathedral for the conferment church service and one to a secular service. Processions are a traditional part of academic festivities which usually attract a fair number of spectators to Senate Square. In the evening the participants convene for a conferment dinner. During the dinner, the participants enjoy the reading of commissioned conferment poems (usually one in Finnish and one in Swedish) and other artistic performances commissioned for the occasion. The dinner also includes speeches, the most important being the speech to the University, followed by the rector’s response.
The third day, Saturday, begins with an excursion which is typically a boat cruise to a nearby island or a spin off the coast of Helsinki. The excursion, with lunch included, is the most informal event of the conferment celebrations.
The day and the entire three-day celebration end with a gala ball held at the Old Student House. The ball begins with the ceremonial polonaise for the invited guests, during which the dance floor features the key figures of the conferment festivities, such as the conferrer, the official wreath weaver, the honorary doctors and jubilee masters. Next, the newly conferred doctoral graduands take to the floor in their black evening dresses to perform their polonaise.
The polonaise is followed by the master graduands’ spectacular contredance française. The contredance moves in square formations, many of them quite intricate and impressively elaborate. Each pair has their particular position in the dance. The dance moves are not difficult to learn – people who take themselves for unaccomplished dancers need not worry – but to achieve synchronous movement and consistency, polishing the contredance requires several rehearsals that the participants must be committed to attending.
After the ceremonial figure dances, it is time for social and ball room dances that all the attendees can join in accordance with the agreed dance partners marked on their dance card. The traditional academic and social dances include the polonaise, pompadour, pas d'Espagne, valse mignon, cicapo and grande valse. Dance cards are distributed to all attendees upon arrival at the Old Student House. The conferment committee usually organises dance rehearsals to all those interested before the conferment ceremony.
Besides dancing, the ball includes many established elements, such as carrying the key figures of the ceremony in a sedan chair of honour.
The ball concludes in a nocturnal procession through the streets and parks of the city centre. Along the way, the procession stops in front of statues to hold speeches and sing traditional student songs. At dawn, the procession ends with a speech to the rising sun. According to the tradition of the Faculty of Social Sciences, this takes place at Tähtitorninmäki, the central hill where the Observatory is located.
The tradition of the conferment ceremony continues to flourish. In recent years, conferment committees have had no lack of volunteers and in the 2000s the ceremonies have attracted record numbers of participants. Currently the future of the conferment institution looks bright and secure, although it is possible that at some point, the tide will turn as it did in the 1970s and the ceremony will again be considered outdated, elitist and unsuitable for modern times.
Recent developments in the academic world can be seen as the greatest threats to the tradition of the conferment ceremony when the effects of cuts to funding for universities and students will become evident, not to mention the restrictions to the duration of studies. Because of the significance of conferment ceremonies to the academic community, universities support the arrangement of these ceremonies by providing funding and facilities for the festivities. As university finances tighten, financial support for conferment ceremonies will also decrease, which will result in higher participation fees and, consequently, lower participant numbers. Unfortunately, the general increase in prices can also be seen in the finances of conferment ceremonies. But on a more positive note, much welcomed partnerships with foundations and private donors wishing to support the tradition currently work to alleviate the situation.
The pressure to reduce the duration of studies and expedite graduation presents a challenge to students to actively participate in extracurricular activities and uphold academic traditions. Many of the special features of conferment ceremonies spring from Finnish student traditions that have become familiar to the participants during their studies, such as the annual celebrations of student nations and other student organisations. If students have fewer opportunities to participate in student activities, the future organisers of conferment ceremonies will not necessarily have the required solid knowledge of academic traditions.
Nevertheless, the conferment ceremony has persisted through almost 400 years of Finnish history marked by many wars, famines and political upheavals. It can safely be assumed that the tradition can maintain its vigour and continue to subsist in even challenging circumstances. The strength of the tradition is furthermore boosted by the fact that each conferment ceremony is able to adapt to its times. This is why it is important that conferment ceremonies are organised by the young generations themselves, for only they have an insight into which social symbols and phenomena need to be taken into account and thus put their own stamp on the tradition. Examples from the 21st century include the first young men selected as official wreath weavers and secular services held in parallel with conferment church services in all faculties. Often trends in history have first surfaced among the academic elite and then spread among the general public. The University itself follows phenomena in various fields and adapts to modern development while maintaining its strong identity and roots.
From the first conferment ceremony in 1643 up to the present, conferment ceremonies have not only been about scholarship and academic achievement, but also about poetry and jubilation. An event involving various art forms speaks of a community spirit spanning over generations, networking, voluntary work and the will to raise topical issues of social importance. For the community, the conferment ceremony is a recurring collective event, but for each individual participant it is a unique experience. A university that is aware of its past does not live in the past – the past lives on in us.