Helsinki University to mark academic year-opening virtually

The University of Helsinki will celebrate the opening of the academic year 2020-2021 on Monday, said the university in a press release.

The rector of the University, Sari Lindblom, has invited the students, staff and friends of the university to the opening ceremony of the academic year at 12:15 onwards. This year, the opening of the academic year will be celebrated as an online event.

The programme includes an opening address by Sari Lindblom as well as speeches by Edward Hæggström, chair of the University of Helsinki local chapter of the Finnish Union of University Professors, and Claes Bergh, chair of the board of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki.

Music will be performed by a quartet of the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra.

After the opening ceremony, an ecumenical service and a non-denominational ceremony can also be viewed online.

The sermon at the church service will be given by Bishop Kaisamari Hintikka and the speech at the non-denominational ceremony by Professor Markku Ollikainen.

Following the opening ceremony, the church service and the non-denominational ceremony could be watched from 13.30 onwards.