Programme
During the Conferment Jubilee the conferment phenomenon is studied and celebrated from many perspectives. The programme consists of a (Finnish) history publication (Otava, Tero Halonen), a new conferment cantata, an exhibition about the tradition, a conferment podcast (“Promootiopodcast”), public events and different urban features outside the university. In spring 2023, four faculties celebrate their conferments: the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Faculty of Philosophy, where not only doctors but also masters are conferred.
Event calendar

A series of three public events is organised in cooperation with the Helsinki University Alumni Community and the University of Helsinki Alumni Association.

“The conferment spirit – Living tradition, joy and rituals”

Fun facts about the conferment tradition!

Think Corner Stage 10.2.2023 at 15-17. This event is in Finnish, Swedish and partially also in English

Conferment ceremony 1643–2023

Panel discussion about the current day meaning of conferment ceremony. The national Museum, 19.4.2023 at 17–19. Only in Finnish.

Jubilee! The University of Helsinki celebrates the conferment tradition

Espa Stage, Esplanade Park 1.6.2023 at 16-18 o’clock. Music with the Academic orchestra Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajat and other conferment-related performances.
      Opening event of the Conferment Jubilee 20.III.2023

      The University of Helsinki honours the Conferment tradition in Finland with a Conferment Jubilee Year 2023.

      The Conferment Jubilee is inaugurated with a solemn publication of this year’s honorary doctors

      in the University Great Hall

      Monday 20th March 2023 at 17.00

      The participants will enjoy the premiere of Cecilia Damström’s jubilee cantata Science Frictions and the book release of the history of the conferment tradition in Finland, written by Dr. Tero Halonen.

      Welcome!

      The event is open for all, but registration is required (registration link will open soon)

       
      Flora’s Day 13.V.2023

      Flora’s Day is a traditional student’s day, most known for the first singing of the song Vårt Land by Fredrik Pacius and J.L. Runeberg in May 1848, which then became the national anthem.

      Still today, students and conferment aficionados gather on the 13th of May on the field of Kumtähti.

      The Faculty of Philosophy and its conferment committee chooses on this day the official wreath weaver according to the tradition.

       

       
      The Conferment is in the Academic Bookstore!

      In May, you can encounter the conferment also on the Esplanade in the window of the Academic Bookstore and inside, where the new history book by Tero Halonen (Promootio. Elävän yliopistoperinteen historiaa, Otava 2023) is available.

      On the conferment day of the Faculty of Philosophy on Friday the 26th of May in the morning the Academic Bookstore will show as a live stream the whole conferment act to the book store clients and visitors.

      Whether you are a devoted conferment protagonist wanting to show your friends what the conferment is like or a citizen just passing by, you now have the unique possibility to follow this old ceremony outside the university walls in a public space!

      The Conferment Live lasts for about three hours and is commented by Stig-Björn Nyberg, a former director of the bookstore and an enthusiastic former gratist of the 1982 conferment.