Join us for the opening ceremony of the academic year 2023–2024 at the University of Helsinki on 4 September 2023!

The rector of the University of Helsinki has the pleasure of inviting the students, staff and friends of the University to the opening ceremony of the academic year 2023–2024 at the Great Hall on Monday, 4 September at 12.15.

The programme includes a speech by Rector Sari Lindblom as well as greetings by representatives of the staff and the Student Union. Music for the opening ceremony will be performed by the string quartet of the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra and Maija Kauhanen. The event will also be live-streamed on the University of Helsinki’s YouTube channel. The opening ceremony will be followed at about 13.30 by an ecumenical service in Helsinki Cathedral and a secular service in the Cupola Hall of the National Library of Finland.

Following the festivities, the audience is invited to enjoy coffee and cake in the foyers of the University’s Main Building (second floor) starting at 14.15. At this time, you can independently tour some of the renovated facilities of the Main Building. Signs indicating which facilities are open will be placed in the entrance halls of the Main Building.

You are warmly welcomed to the opening ceremony of the new academic year at the University of Helsinki.

12.15, Great Hall of the University of Helsinki (Unioninkatu 34/Aleksanterinkatu 5)

Academic procession

Procession music: Sibelius: Andante Festivo, string quartet of the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra

Opening address

Rector Sari Lindblom

Music

Maija Kauhanen

Greetings from staff and the Student Union

Elisa Hyytiäinen, Chair of the University of Helsinki Staff Association HYHY

Nea Hakala, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki

Music

Maija Kauhanen

Academic procession from the Great Hall to Helsinki Cathedral and the National Library of Finland

13.30

Ecumenical service at Helsinki Cathedral (Unioninkatu 29)

Sermon: Bishop Teemu Laajasalo

13.30

Secular service in the Cupola Hall of the National Library (Unioninkatu 36)

Speech: Professor Kalle Juuti

14.15

Coffee and refreshments in the foyers on the second floor of the University’s Main Building

14.00–18.00

Opening Carnival on the City Centre Campus

Explore the programme on the website of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki

Dress code: Participants in the academic procession are to wear a dark suit and bring their doctoral hats with them, observing the instructions on the order of the procession. The dress code for the rest of the invited guests and the public is business attire.