Social programme during the conference
Receptions
Welcome reception by the University of Helsinki on Thursday, 5 June at 6 pm in Metsätalo, 5th floor.
Reception by the City of Helsinki, on Friday, 6 June at 6 pm in the Old Town Hall (Bock House), in the Senate Square. Entrance by invitation card (in the Conference bag).
Both receptions will include drinks and a light buffet. The receptions are free and everyone is warmly welcome, including accompanying persons. Please let us know in advance if you will attend.
Sightseeing and conference dinner on Saturday, 7 June
The conference dinner will take place directly after the conference, on Saturday, 7 June. It will be preceded by a brief sightseeing tour of Helsinki and Espoo, with a stop at the Sibelius Monument and another at the Aalto University campus. The dinner will be held at a sailing club in the seaside restaurant Blue Peter on the island of Lauttasaari. Departure at 6 pm from the Senate Square.
Post-conference excursions on Sunday, 8 June
City hike
Join us for a wild nature hike in urban surroundings within the city boundaries in eastern Helsinki! Uutela Nature Park is located close to one of the best beaches in Helsinki and you will also see prize-winning urban architecture. Bring your swimming gear if you want an arctic experience (the water will probably be around +16° C). We’ll have lunch next to the harbour in a cosy little café known for its salmon soup and pancakes (soup + pancake + coffee = 12€). The only other cost for the tour is two metro tickets (2 × 2.50€). We will start the tour in the morning at 10 am and end around 2 pm. Be prepared to walk for about 5 kilometers (on a good path / asphalt) and bring good walking shoes.
Uutela shoreline (Wikimedia Commons)
Looking south from Uutela (Wikimedia Commons)
Lunch cruise
Join us for a lunch cruise through the beautiful archipelago off Helsinki! One of the best ways to see Helsinki is from the sea. At this time of the year Helsinki is surprisingly leafy, and the trees will be at their best in all shades of vivid green. The IHA-Lines cruise boat departs from the Market Square in the town centre, right by the Old Market Hall. We’ll meet at the boat at 11 am (departure at 11.30), and the cruise takes 90 minutes (back at 1 pm). The cruise costs 19€, we’ll have a buffet lunch on board for just 12€ more (see the menu on the cruise line website here). This is an option for leisurely sightseeing of the myriad islands of the Helsinki archipelago, enjoying the scenery while tasting some typical Finnish dishes.
Helsinki harbour (Wikimedia Commons)
Helsinki from the sea (Wikimedia Commons)
Please let us know which option you choose for the Sunday excursion. No payment in advance is needed. Please pay at the café in Uutela or on board the sightseeing boat.