The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
17.04.2025
Vappu, 1st of May is known as a festival for students and workers. For Finnish students, the festival has been familiar since childhood, when Vappu included balloons, streamers and donuts. Now, as University students, we are all excited to put on our overalls and celebrate together. And all students are happily going to invite everyone to spend Vappu with them!
But what are you going to see during Vappu? One of the most iconic items to wear is ylioppilaslakki, the white student cap. This cap is traditionally worn by high school graduates and on the eve of Vappu, older graduates dust off their caps and wear them throughout the celebrations. And did you know that the cap is not only worn by students? In Finland, there is a (perhaps a little strange) tradition of washing statues and putting a student cap on them. In Helsinki, the most famous example is the washing of the Havis Amanda statue. Similarly in Kuopio and Joensuu, our statues Velj’mies and Alkukivi are washed for Vappu. In addition to the washing of statues, Vappu Eve in both cities is full of traditional activities.
In Joensuu, the Vappu Eve includes the Vappu Parade that starts from the UEF campus and goes through the city centre to Ilosaari, where students will listen to the speech of the Student Union and after that new engineering students (Teekkarit) of Joensuu are dipped in the Pielisjoki (river). The programme continues with music as UEF Choir JOY and UEF Orchestra RytmiHäiriköt take the stage at Ilosaari.
In Kuopio, the Eve includes the Rite of the Scholastic Passage that will be performed on campus and the Pool Event at the Kuopio Market Square. The Rite of the Scholastic Passage is counted among the most long-standing traditions in the academic history of Kuopio as well as among the most unique Vappu celebrations in the entire nation. From the ISYY website you can find a link to the registration form. At the Pool Event, there are speeches of the Student Union and student associations, washing as well as capping the Velj’mies statue and immersing the Professor.
Like many other celebrations, Vappu is full of food-related traditions. Some traditional foods are sima (mead), munkki (donut) and tippaleipä (funnel cake). Many people in Finland have a picnic outdoors on May Day. In Joensuu and Kuopio, many student associations have their own picnic-hangout in the park, so we recommend you to join there.
Like many student events in Finland, Vappu especially seems to include alcohol. For those students, who might feel uncomfortable, we want to say that you shouldn’t be too worried. Student events, especially those organised by ISYY, are organised so that everyone feels welcome. Vappu is a celebration for all, and we recommend you experience this unique cultural event in Finland!
Check the schedule of student events on both campuses from the links below. For Kuopio students, you can also find a link for The Rite of the Scholastic Passage registration.
Isyy.fi: ISYY's Vappu in Joensuu 2025
Isyy.fi: ISYY's Vappu in Kuopio 2025
Piritta Pennanen, Executive Board Member, International Affairs, Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), piritta.pennanen(at)isyy.fi
Kristiina Oinonen, Executive Board Member, International Affairs, Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), kristiina.oinonen(at)isyy.fi