University of Helsinki
The 2015–2016 academic year is launching in style on Monday 31st August. The opening ceremony in the Great Hall of the University’s Main Building at 12.15 will feature Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. After the event, the guests will form a procession and move to an ecumenical service at Helsinki Cathedral. At the same time, a nondenominational event will be held in the Language Centre festival hall.
Following the official ceremonies, at 14.00 the streets and alleyways of the City Centre Campus will become the setting for the opening carnival. The programme will feature a bouncy castle, a science sauna on wheels, pop-up shows put on by students and cheap ice cream in seasonal flavours.