student union – Page 2 – Welcome to University of Helsinki

February 5, 2016June 21, 2017

Shrove Tuesday the Finnish Way

‘Laskiainen‘, Finnish for Shrove Tuesday, is a celebration traditionally held in February, and celebrated especially by students. This year Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday, February 9th. In previous times, laskiainen was the last celebration before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, but nowadays it mainly means a day of sleigh-riding. Laskiainen is not a public holiday, however, so you’ll still have lectures!

Laskiaisrieha-10 — Overall-wearing sledders at Ullanlinnanmäki on Shrove Tuesday, ‘laskiainen’.

During the day traditional Finnish Shrove Tuesday dishes, pea soup and Shrove Tuesday buns, are offered also at UniCafes. The Shrove Tuesday bun, or ‘laskiaispulla‘ in Finnish, is a special type of bun made just for this occasion by filling a traditional Finnish bun with whipped cream and either raspberry jam or almond paste. Both types of filling have their avid supporters, and the nation remains divided about which of them is the best. We recommend you to try both, and decide for yourself!

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January 25, 2016June 21, 2017

Friends and Benefits: Welcome to your Student Union!

Student life is not just about completing your degree. Student life is also about meeting new people, dialogue, sharing ideas, learning together, and forming lifelong friendships

One of the best things about studying at the University of Helsinki is the active community of students. Community spirit improves your well-being, and over 250 different student organisations within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) open up a field of opportunities. Participating in the events and activities of these organisations is a great way to not only make friends and have fun, but to learn new skills and gain access to networks which can prove useful in your future working life.

F00A6666 — The First of May eve, the biggest student event of the spring term, and definately something to look forward to! Photograph © Mikko Virta

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December 2, 2015June 21, 2017

University Students’ Torch Parade on the Finnish Independence Day, December 6

The Finnish Independence Day is celebrated on December 6. Independence was achieved in 1917, so 2015 marks the 98th year of an independent Finnish state. Traditionally, Independence Day, a public holiday, is celebrated quietly by lighting two blue-and-white candles by the windows for everyone to see from the outside, and by watching the President’s Independence Day Reception and Ball from television. As with many other odd Finnish traditions, this kind of celebration might be considered an acquired taste.

For students, though, the celebrations include instead an atmospheric torch-lit procession within the Helsinki city centre.

Itsenäisyyspäivä 2011pieni — The torches – an important part of the Independence Day celebrations for students

The student unions of the capital region (HYY, AYY, TaiYo and SHS) organise the traditional Independence Day torch parade of university students. Students follow the flags of their student union, and student organisation or student nation, carrying torches and wearing their white Finnish student caps.

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November 9, 2015June 21, 2017

The Anniversary Celebration of the Student Union – You’re Invited!

The Student Union of the University of Helsinki celebrates its 147th anniversary November 18-26, and all members are invited!

The anniversary week is full of events ranging from free films and free entrance to Ateneum, to a singles’ night in the National Museum! The grande finale of the anniversary celebrations is HYY’s birthday party at the Old Student House. All students of the University of Helsinki are welcome to the epic, most cross-disciplinary student party of the autumn term! Music and dancing are a given, but the celebration also features an student-sized ball pit, karaoke, and sparkling wine at very student-friendly prices. This is a night you don’t want to miss!

HYY147_AnniversaryWeek_18_11_2015 — Welcome to the birthday party!

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October 14, 2015June 21, 2017

A Revolution at the University!

Students are making the revolution at the University of Helsinki live on! This revolution, however, is not carried out by demonstrating dissidents, but from the inside, with students as important and valued members of university administration. Read on and be part of the revolution!

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June 23, 2014June 21, 2017

Active students, student life and campuses

Student life is rich and diverse in Helsinki. All undergraduates and graduate students at the University of Helsinki are members of the Student Union (HYY). Approximately 250 various student organisations operate within HYY and they organise thousands of events every year.

10265441_647324448681677_1967751591467637424_o — Picture: CISSI

Furthermore there are faculty and department clubs, interest groups and clubs, the Student Nations, etc. They all have their own style of doing things, however it may be connected to a major, a hobby, an ideology, or even to the region where the students originally came from. If you enjoy singing, sports, or the theatre, you will find many choirs, orchestras, sports clubs, and theatre groups you can join in. Or maybe you’d like to start something entirely new like a couple of our International Student Ambassadors did. Continue reading “Active students, student life and campuses”