Welcome to follow the university's academic traditions at the opening of the academic year!
The academic procession is a ceremonial march in which members of the university community walk together from the Main Building’s lobby to the Assembly Hall for the opening ceremony. The procession is led by the Rector, and its arrival marks the official start of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the procession continues with a short outdoor walk from the Assembly Hall to a coffee reception at the Library Lähde. The procession music will be Andante Festivo, composed by Jean Sibelius in 1922.
From the seminary era to today – the history of the procession
The academic procession dates back to the founding of the Jyväskylä Seminary in 1863, when the first opening celebration was held in temporary facilities. At that time, the event began with a hymn and a speech by Uno Cygnaeus, followed by a ceremonial procession to the church. The entire town followed the event, and it established traditions that continue to this day. During the seminary era, the start of the academic year also included a festive procession to Roninmäki.
Over the years, the tradition of the procession faded but was revived in the 1990s at the initiative of Rector Aino Sallinen. Under her leadership, the academic procession became a regular part of the academic year’s opening. Today, all university teachers, researchers, and staff are welcome to participate. Participation is voluntary, and each year about 60–100 people take part. The procession is led by the Rector and Vice Rectors. The student community is represented in the procession by the Student Union’s representatives.
Join us for the opening festivities
There are a whole lot of traditions involved in the opening festivities. The roots of the opening of the academic year can be traced back to the days of Uno Cygnaeus, when the opening of the new Teacher Seminary, the first Finnish-language one in Finland, was celebrated on 14 August 1863.
The opening of the academic year starts with the Opening prayer service before the opening ceremony. In addition to devotions, the programme will include gospel music and community singing. In recent years, the opening ceremony has been joined by a secular gathering based on philosophical reflection. The official opening ceremony will feature dance and music performances by talented members of the university community, and the Rector will open the new academic year with a topical speech. Welcome!
See the full programme of the opening ceremony and register!
