Aalto Day One 2018–2019

Opening ceremony of the academic year 2018–2019

All members of the Aalto community: students, faculty and staff, are welcome to celebrate the opening of the new academic year to the U2 hall at the Undergraduate Centre.

According to the academic tradition, the new academic year will open at 13.15 with a ceremony and academic procession which leads the way to the festivities. 

Dresscode for the procession is dark suit, no doctoral hat. We encourage participants to wear red, blue or yellow accessories.

There are restricted number of seats, so be sure to sign up to the event, the links for registration are on under "Registration" section.

You can also follow the opening of the academic year via a webcast and the link will be available on under "Webcast" section on Wednesday 5 September before the event.

Aalto Day One 2018–2019 badges: Collect the whole series!

This year make sure to get, not only the traditional Aalto Party badge but also, the ones for the opening ceremony and the open doors event at Väre.

After the ceremony, we will walk in a procession to the opening reception, which takes place at the recently completed Väre building in the heart of the campus. Doors will be open to the new home of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The procession will progress along Aalto Avenue. Aalto Avenue presents Aalto arts major subjects and illustrates how they have taken root in Otaniemi. The path portrays learning through the metaphor of growth and coming into flower. Growth and development need rain to awaken creativity and help grow a sturdy trunk.

The path has been created by Aalto University Scenography students Jenny Jauhiainen and Reeta Tuoresmäki with sound designer and Sound in New Media master's student Matias Harju.

Väre is opening its doors for students and staff! Come experience the brilliance of Väre and explore the activities in the building. You’ll see both solutions of the future and echoes from the past as Aalto staff and students settle into the newest building of the university. The event does not require separate registration, so you can pop by Väre during Aalto Day One 2018–2019.

Guided tours starting at 14.30, no advance registration. Tours will start in the Väre main lobby.

Aalto Day One 2018–2019 badges: Collect the whole series!

This year make sure to get not only the traditional Aalto Party badge but also the ones for the Opening ceremony and the Open doors event in Väre.
 

Start the year at Aalto Party!

The day reaches its pinnacle when the traditional Aalto Party, with its spectacular programme, kicks off at 16.00 in the Alvari Square. The festival-like event gives you the opportunity to see old friends and make new ones while enjoying the music and party atmosphere. Don’t miss the first party of the academic year – a day when all professors, staff and students meet in the same park.

Entertaining performances

Aalto Party will include various programmes and a stage where student bands and dance groups guarantee a good time and, of course, the traditional tug of war between the boards of AYY and Aalto University is something not to be missed.

Memorable checkpoints

At Aalto Party, you can get a glimpse of many of the student organisations within AYY. These organisations are always looking for more members so, chances are, you’ll find some like-minded students there! Get yourself a checkpoint card and you can find new ways of interacting with the organisations and the people around you.

Tasty food, cash payments

Food trucks will serve delicious food for the affordable price of €5.
Please note, to make the food queues go faster it is recommended to have the exact amount in cash.

And, be sure to attend the Aalto Afterparty!

Faculty, staff, and students of Aalto University are invited to celebrate the opening of the academic year on Wednesday 5 September 2018 at 13.15. 

Registration opens on 15 August 2018. 

• Professors’ registration to the opening ceremony, deadline 31.8. (Information about professors' procession will be sent closer to the ceremony.)
• Registration to the opening ceremony, deadline 31.8.
• Registration to Aalto Party, deadline 5.9.

No registration needed for the reception and Väre open doors.

You can also follow the opening of the academic year via a webcast from 13:00 onwards. See the webcast by clicking this link.