Welcome to the University of Helsinki! It’s not only an excellent university, but also a university with a long (375 years and counting) and fascinating history. An integral part of that history have always been students from near and far.
University of Helsinki and its’ students are remarkably visible in the cityscape. The university has always been a great builder and you can see university buildings on all four campuses. Also, the Student Union and many student nations have built beautiful buildings. When the university moved to Helsinki from Turku in 1828, the new Main Building was given a prime site in the then city centre directly opposite the new Senate building. A few decades later the students wanted to build a Student House (nowadays called the Old Student House) for their meetings and parties. The house was built at the edge of the city centre, where it was thought the rowdy students would not disturb other townspeople. Ironically, over time the city centre moved and nowadays the Student House is smack in the middle of downtown Helsinki!
Whether it’s a peace rally, a protest against cuts in the education budget or a Grand Academic Party Suursitsit at the Senate Square, the students of the University of Helsinki can be seen and heard. Often you see them wearing student overalls in different colours, possibly covered with different overall patches which are sewn on to commemorate different events or as a mark of affiliation or support to an organization.
There are celebrations all year round, from the Opening Carnival in August/September to the May Day (vappu) and Flower Day (Floran päivä) in spring. And if a lot of people are wearing white hats don’t worry, it’s not a naval invasion: they’re wearing student caps. Nowadays all the people who wear the caps are not necessarily students or even former students of the University of Helsinki, but it is where the tradition started 150 years ago this year!
Come find out more about the history and traditions of the University and its’ students in the new permanent exhibition of the Helsinki University Museum, The Power of Thought, located in the Main Building of the University (Fabianinkatu street 33, 3rd floor). The exhibition is free of charge, so whether you want to pop by for a quick peek between lectures or stay exploring longer, you’re more than welcome! Be sure watch the four short films created for the exhibition that offer a humorous glimpse into student life during four different periods! Trailer for the films can be seen here.
For opening times and more information check our website.
Susanna Hakkarainen, project planner
Päivi Rainio, curator
Photos: Timo Huvilinna / Helsinki University Museum
