The Conferment Ceremony begins with the Wreath-Weaving and Sword-Whetting Day, which includes the Act Rehearsal, the Wreath-Weaving, the Sword-Whetting, the Rector’s Reception, and the Wreath-Weaving and Sword-Whetting Dinner.
Time and place: Great Hall of the University Main Building
– 14:00–15:15 Doctors and Jubilee Doctors
– 15:45–17:00 Masters and Jubilee Masters
On Thursday afternoon, a compulsory Act Rehearsal will be held for all graduands in the Great Hall of the University of Helsinki Main Building. During the rehearsal, the entire course and choreography of the following day’s Conferment Act will be reviewed and practised.
Accessibility information: Step-free access to the cloakrooms is available via the inner courtyard (Yliopistonkatu 2), with lift access to the upper floors. The Great Hall itself contains stairs; barrier-free participation therefore requires special arrangements. Please contact the organisers well in advance if you require accessibility accommodations.
Time and place: National Library of Finland, 16:00–17:30
The swords of the doctoral graduands, Jubilee Doctors and Honorary Doctors are symbolically whetted on a stone grindstone, using sparkling wine.
Accessibility information: In accordance with the National Library’s guidelines, step-free access is available via a separate designated route.
Time and place: University Main Building, Agora, 15:00–18:00 (for wreath weavers, i.e. the companions of master graduands; master graduands may join at the beginning before proceeding to the Great Hall for their rehearsals)
The Wreath-Weaving takes place simultaneously with the Act Rehearsal on Thursday afternoon. Participants are the wreath weavers, that is, the companions of master graduands. As the name suggests, during the Wreath-Weaving the companions bind a laurel wreath for their graduand from fresh laurel leaves. The wreath symbolises learning and, in the Roman tradition, victory. It is this wreath that will be placed on the head of the master graduand at the culmination of the conferment day, the Conferment Act.
The wreaths are made under the guidance of the Official Wreath Weaver and their predecessors, and no prior knowledge of wreath-making is required.
The laurel wreath may also be bound at the Pre-Wreath-Weaving. This event is intended for companions of master graduands who, for one reason or another, are unable to attend the Wreath-Weaving on Thursday. Master graduands participating without a companion may also attend the Preliminary Wreath-Weaving to bind their own laurel wreath.
Accessibility information: Step-free access to the University Main Building and the Agora is available via the accessible entrance on Fabianinkatu.
Time and place: University Main Building, Christina Hall, after the Rehearsal, approximately 17:30–18:00
While the Master graduands are attending their Rehearsal, the doctoral graduands and their companions proceed to the Rector’s Reception after completing their own rehearsal and the sword-whetting ceremony.
Accessibility information: See Rehearsal.
Time and place: Tapahtumatalo Bank (Unioninkatu 20), doors open at 18:00 (seated at tables by 19:00). The programme concludes around 23:00.
The evening features fine speeches, gracious greetings, and an atmosphere filled with anticipation of the celebrations to come.
Accessibility information: You can enter the banquet hall directly from the street.
The second day of the Conferment Ceremony is the actual Solemn Conferment Day. It consists of the Solemn Conferment of Degrees (also known as the Conferment Act), the Secular Laurel Ceremony, the Ecumenical Church Service, and the formal Conferment Dinner.
Time and place: Great Hall of the University Main Building
– Masters arrive at 10:00
– Doctors arrive at 10:15
– The doors of the Great Hall close at approximately 10:45
– The Solemn Conferment of Degrees begins at 11:00
Entrance via the Aleksanterinkatu doors (Aleksanterinkatu 5).
The Solemn Conferment of Degrees is the most important and dignified event of the entire Conferment Ceremony. It is during this ceremony that academic degrees are formally conferred. Through the conferment, Masters and Doctors are granted the right to wear the academic insignia associated with their degree: masters receive the master’s ring, while doctors receive the doctoral hat and sword. Master graduands also receive their laurel wreaths during the ceremony.
In addition to newly conferred graduands, Honorary Doctors as well as Jubilee Masters and Jubilee Doctors are also conferred at the Solemn Conferment of Degrees.
Accessibility information: Step-free access to the cloakrooms is available via the inner courtyard (Yliopistonkatu 2), with lift access to the upper floors. The Great Hall contains stairs; barrier-free participation therefore requires special arrangements. Please contact the organisers well in advance if you require accessibility accommodations.
Time and place: Helsinki Cathedral or the National Library of Finland, following the Solemn Conferment of Degrees.
The procession departs directly from the Great Hall at approximately 13:00. Laudatio Solemnis concludes at around 14:00.
All participants in the Solemn Conferment of Degrees leave the Great Hall as a single procession, after which they divide into those proceeding to the conferment church service and those attending the secular Laurel Ceremony. The re-formed processions then continue to Helsinki Cathedral and the National Library respectively. These ceremonial black-and-white processions are among the most visually striking moments of the Conferment Ceremony and typically attract both the graduands’ families and curious onlookers to Senate Square.
The secular Laurel Ceremony is held after the Solemn Conferment of Degrees, concurrently with the conferment church service. Participants proceed from the Great Hall to the National Library in an organised procession. The programme includes a book ceremony, speeches, a musical performance, and communal singing. After the secular ceremony, participants once again form a procession and return to the University Main Building to collect their diplomas.
Accessibility information: In accordance with the National Library’s guidelines, step-free access is available via a separate designated route.
The conferment church service is held after the Solemn Conferment of Degrees, concurrently with the Laurel Ceremony. Participants proceed in an organised procession from the University Main Building to Helsinki Cathedral. The festive service follows the short ecumenical order of thanksgiving and transition. After the service, participants again form a procession and return to the University Main Building to collect their diplomas.
Accessibility information: Ramps are available at the Cathedral’s main entrance on the Kirkkokatu side. Access via the Crypt and lift is possible but must be arranged in advance, as the Crypt is normally closed and requires a verger to open it. Toilet facilities are located in the church vestibule and in the north transept.
Time and place: Event Centre Koskenranta (Katariina Saksilaisen katu 9). Staggered arrival times: 17:45 Masters, 18:00 Doctors, 18:20 Invited guests. The programme concludes at 23:45.
The Act Day culminates in the Conferment Dinner, the most festive and dignified event of the Conferment Ceremony: a seated three-course gala dinner. Following the welcome drinks, guests are invited to take their seats to enjoy ceremonial speeches, traditional conferment poetry and other programme elements, a refined three-course dinner, and one another’s company at the end of a long but rewarding day of solemn ceremonies. Participants in the Conferment Dinner include newly conferred Masters and Doctors, their companions, and invited guests.
Accessibility information: Step-free access to the banquet facilities is available via a ramp.
The Conferment Week concludes on Saturday, which includes the conferment excursion, the excursion luncheon, the evening Conferment Ball, and the Night Procession that brings the celebrations to a close.
Time and place: Arrive in Kauppatori at 11:20, lunch on the boat.
The Conferment excursion will take the form of a short cruise around the Helsinki archipelago. The excursion takes off from the Market Square. The right vessel can be found at the Market Square by looking out for student-capped participants. The boat can’t wait for latecomers, so make sure to be on time. Remember to bring your student cap!
Accessibility information: The lower deck of M/S Emma is accessible, and the vessel can be boarded with a wheelchair. Unfortunately, the upper deck is not accessible by wheelchair, and it is not possible to board the vessel with an electric wheelchair.
Time and place: Old Student House. Arrival times: 18:00 Masters, 18:15 Doctors, 18:30 Invited guests.
The Conferment Ball is held at the Old Student House. The programme includes dance performances, traditional dances open to all participants, and a buffet dinner. The event continues until approximately 01:00.
Accessibility information: Step-free access is available to the ground floor; an accessible toilet is located behind the bar. Step-free access to the upper floor is possible by prior arrangement, as the route via the external entrance, lift at stairwell 3B, and connecting corridor is normally locked.
Time and place: Departs from the Old Student House at 01:15.
After the Conferment Ball, the celebration continues in the form of the Night Procession. During the procession, the spirit of the conferment is carried through the centre of Helsinki, with stops at statues along the route to hear the final speeches of the ceremony. The procession sets off from in front of the Old Student House and concludes at Observatory Hill (Tähtitorninmäki), where the conferment night culminates in a speech delivered to the rising sun at approximately 04:20.
After the procession, those who wish may continue on to the after-party, offering a few more hours in the company of the celebratory conferment community.
Accessibility information: The Night Procession takes place outdoors in the city centre. Information on the after-party will be provided separately.
The contredanse française is a historical seven-figure demonstration dance performed by the newly graduated Masters.
At the general dance rehearsals, academic dances are practised. The academic dances included in the conferment are the following, all of which can be practised either at the general dance rehearsals or independently at home using instructional videos.
1) Mignon
2) Cicapo
3) Pompadour
4) Krakowiak
5) Pas d’Espagne
6) Grande valse
You can also familiarise yourself with the dances independently using the playlist available on the University’s YouTube channel.
In the morning, the Conferment Committee convenes for its ceremonial meeting in Latin, at which the Official Wreath Weaver of the Conferment is elected.
After the meeting, the delegation proceeds to formally invite the selected person at the home of their parents or at another agreed location.
Time and place: TBA, 12–13
Where and when: Sunday 17 May, Ostrobotnia house, Tölönkatu 3A, 5th floor.
Dress code: No specific dress code – neat attire.
Accessibility information: The premise is accesible by lift. The entrance landing can be reached via a ramp from the street.
Before the actual conferment events, a Preliminary Wreath-Weaving will be held. This event allows master graduands who are attending the Conferment Ceremony without a wreath weaver (a companion) to prepare their laurel wreath with the assistance of the Official Wreath Weaver and the Conferment Committee. The event is also open to those wreath weavers who, for one reason or another, are unable to attend the Wreath-Weaving on Thursday.
Please bring green thread, a needle, a thimble, and scissors if possible. The Committee will have a limited number of supplies available for loan, but not enough for everyone.
13:00 Doors open
13:15 Welcome remarks and general instructions
13:30 Wreath weaving begins. You may leave once you have finished.
16:00 The event ends.
Target group: Participants in the Master’s Contredanse française and those taking part in the Doctoral and Guest Polonaises
Time and place: Old Student House (Mannerheimintie 3), 17:00–21:00
Dress code: No dress code. Participants are advised to bring the shoes they will wear with their formal attire on Saturday, for rehearsal purposes.
The general rehearsal for those participating in the performed dances will be held at the Old Student House (Mannerheimintie 3) on Monday, 18 May, as follows:
17:15–18:15 Master’s Contredanse française
18:15–19:15 General rehearsal of the academic dances
19:15–20:45 Guest and Doctoral Polonaises