Happy Tuesday!

This week, there is a wildfire warning in effect in Northern Savo since the ground is too dry. When this warning is in force, it's forbidden to light an open fire. An open fire refers to a campfire or other similar use of fire, in which the fire may get out of control, either along the ground or as flying sparks. Disposable grills are also considered open fires. So if you were planning on grilling sausages or marshmallows at a campfire this week, please avoid doing so. You can still though go for a hike and enjoy the fresh air! You'll find a list of nature trails in Kuopio and its surrounding areas on Kuopio city's website. If you're looking for more information about wildfire warnings, check the Finnish Meteorological Institute's website. They also have an active map showing all warnings in effect in Finland.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs

Upcoming exceptions in ISYY Kuopio office opening hours

In spring, there will be the following exceptions:

• Monday 27 April: CLOSED
• Tuesday 28 April: open 13–15
• Thursday 30 April (May Eve): CLOSED
• Mon–Fri 11–15 May: CLOSED
• Tuesday 26 May: open 13–15

In equipment loans, if the return date falls on a day when the office is closed, the loan period is automatically extended to the next day when the office is open.

ISYY attended SYL International sector meeting 16.-17.4. in Helsinki

ISYY’s participants were Coordinator of International Affairs Joona and board members Bharath and Sofia. The sector meeting was centered around how to raise issues affecting international students during the upcoming parliamentary elections.

On Thursday we met Member of Parliament Alviina Alametsä. We had a great time envisioning the future and conversing on how to make the issues of international students and internationality more pertinent. After that we got to hear about the international employment voucher of the city of Helsinki and visited the Academic Society of Technology to learn about their advocacy work.

On Friday we visited the Central Chamber of Commerce, got an EU Policy Overview and thought about the opportunities for student movements to influence EU Policy and ended the meeting with a workshop by SYL regarding bringing international perspectives into the political discourse.

Big thanks to SYL, all the people we met and to other student unions for this inspiring meeting!

Get the ISYY lyre for your student cap!

Did you know that you can purchase a lyre of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) to your student cap to symbolise your own university community?

Vappu (May Day) is soon and in Finland it is a tradition that students wear their student caps on Vappu Eve and Vappu Day. The standard lyre that can be seen in most of the Finnish student caps is a symbol for the Mariculation Examination, but it's also a symbol of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. There are also different lyres to symbolise, e.g. the Vocational Upper Secondary Qualification or the International Baccalaureate.

Student unions have their own lyres that symbolise the university community. A university student can purchase a lyre for their student cap to replace the old lyre.

ISYY lyre costs only 5,00 € and they are sold from ISYY offices!

ISYY Member Survey response time extended, answer and you may win a 50€ gift card for S Group!

Earlier this spring we opened a Member Survey and we have now decided to extend its response time until Sunday 10 May at 23.59. The purpose of the survey is to collect data regarding how familiar (or not) our Student Union is, and how we can improve our services or events. Every response is important!

Filling up the survey takes approx. 10 minutes and it’s anonymous. After finishing the survey, you can leave your contact information via separate form to participate in the raffle. We will raffle a total of eight (8) S Group gift cards, each worth 50€.

ISYY club meetings

Check the list of ISYY clubs in Kuopio on our website.

ISYY clubs' meetings at Lukema (ISYY office in Studentia, C door):

• Sun 3.5. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Sun 3.5. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Mon 4.5. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)

SYKETTÄ Sports Services

SYKETTÄ – Kuopio University Sports offers a comprehensive range of sports services for students and staff of Savonia University of Applied Sciences and the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus. Please read the SYKETTÄ Kuopio information. You must have a valid SYKETTÄ membership when using sports services!

Read more on the SYKETTÄ Kuopio website and follow SYKETTÄ on social media:

• SYKETTÄ Kuopio webpage
• Facebook: sykettakuopio
• Instagram: @syketta_kpo
• TikTok: syketta_kuopio

Spring Campaign – Gym Access to Luola is Now Included!

With a valid SYKETTÄ membership in April, you can train at the Luola gym with absolutely no extra fees. If you aren’t a SYKETTÄ member yet, you can join with just a few clicks in our online store.

Sign up for the Spring Running School!

The running school kicks off on Monday, May 11th, with an introductory lecture covering the basics of endurance training and how to design your own training program. The training sessions will take place at Väinölänniemi, featuring a versatile mix of aerobic endurance, speed endurance, intervals, and technique drills. The running clinic is organized in collaboration with Rauhalahti Road Runners.

Schedule:

• Mon May 11, 6 pm – 8 pm Introductory lecture (Savonia, Microkatu)
• Wed May 13 / Mon May 18 / Thu May 21 / Mon May 25: Training at Vänäri, 6 pm – 7.30 pm

Price: € 30 (A valid SYKETTÄ sticker is required)

Registration: Opens on Monday, April 20th, via the registration calendar!

Course information for 2026–2027 published in Peppi

Information on the courses offered in the academic year 2026–2027 and their scheduling by semester has been published in Peppi’s study guide. More detailed information on teaching, including schedules and classroom locations (course implementations), will be published by the end of July.

UEF library

May Day opening hours at the UEF library

Joensuu and Kuopio campus libraries are open on Thursday 30 April 2026 from 8 am to 2 pm (customer service from 10 am to 2 pm). Both campus libraries are closed on Friday 1 May 2026. On Saturday 2 May, Joensuu campus library is open from 10 am to 2 pm and Kuopio campus library is closed. Kuopio campus library is closed on Saturdays in May. The 24/7 self-study facilities are open despite these exceptions.

Changes in UEF library services during the summer

This coming summer, the Joensuu and Kuopio Campus Libraries will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8 to 15, with customer service available from 10 to 15. On Wednesdays, we will be open as usual from 8 to 18, with customer service from 10 to 18.

For the first time, we will experiment with a summer closure at the Kuopio Campus Library during the quietest period in July, 6–26 July 2026. However, you will still be able to access the facilities with a 24/7 access badge. If you do not yet have an access badge, please make sure to get one in advance! Read more from Kamu.

International House Kuopio – Multilingual Guidance and Counselling Service

International House Kuopio helps people who have moved to Finland. The service is available in Kuopio and nearby areas: Lapinlahti, Tuusniemi, and Kaavi. The service is free of charge and confidential. It is for all immigrants, no matter why you moved to Finland or how long you have lived here.

We give information and support for everyday life in Finland. You can ask for help with, for example:

• dealing with authorities (for example Kela, Migri, Tax Office and Digital and Population Data Services Agency)
• housing and moving
• education and studying the Finnish language
• job search and working life
• health, well-being, and social services
• free-time activities, hobbies, and volunteering
• early childhood education and school for children

Last Coffee & Friends of this spring: Quizzes

Coffee & Friends event offers low-threshold hanging out after lectures and the opportunity to meet other students over coffee and a snack. All students of the University of Eastern Finland are welcome to Coffee & Friends. You can come to the café alone or with a friend. In addition, Coffee & Friends has a changing chill programme. Participation in the programme is voluntary and you can come for a while or for the whole time. Participation is free of charge and does not require pre-registration.

Coffee & Friends meets on Tuesdays at 3-5pm at Lukema.

This is the last time this spring, and the Coffee&Friends will resume in September.

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Savonia Fest, Mon 20.4.- Fri 24.4.

• ITAK, Suokatu 42/2
• Thirteen bands will rock the Savonia Fest stage. There’s something for everyone: from funk to jazz fusion, rock, pop and Latin rhythms. The festival offers everything from tender moments to high-energy performances. Free admission. More info on Facebook.

Bellanranta car and music show, Sat 25.4. at 12 

• Bellanranta, Siikaranta 9 
• A new kind of event for the whole family, combining hobby motor vehicles and rock music. The day will be filled with the roar of engines, live music, and a great atmosphere by the lake. Admission to the daytime program is free.

Free admission for students at RIISA, Sun 26.4. at 11-15

• RIISA Orthodox Church Museum, Karjalankatu 1  
• Students get free admission to RIISA on the last Sunday of the month. Come explore the permanent collection, Ville Löppönen’s “Encountering Gaze” exhibition, and Hanneriina Moisseinen’s “Transience” exhibition. 

Cultural tastings in spring 2026

City of Kuopio’s cultural institutions celebrated the Kuopio250 anniversary by offering free “Tastings”—unique opportunities to get a glimpse into the daily life, art, and activities of these venues. These events brought culture closer to the public, attracted new audiences and created great experiences. The warm reception from the public and the many requests for more encouraged to continue this successful concept even after the anniversary year.

In 2026, the “Tastings of Culture” series continue: each cultural institution will organize a free event once per season, offering an opportunity to experience, discover and be inspired.

Concert: Spring greetings from Berlin

Tue 28.4.2026 at 19.00
Kuopio Music Centre, Concert Hall

Conductors: Harri Hyppölä and Rauno Tikkanen
Johannes Lamotke, horn
AmKo Symphony Orchestra and Tahdistin Orchestra
The program features two horn concertos and Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73.

Duration: approx. 1 h 50 min, incl. intermission
Tickets: €15 / €5 for students and under 16 yo
(+ service fees from €1.50 + 0.65% per order at Lippu.fi)

Organized by: Kuopio Conservatory, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Tahdistin-orkesteri

Lets speak Suomi!

Welcome to Neulamäki Library (Juontotie 6) Language Café to learn to speak Finnish in a relaxed atmosphere on 28 April from 5 m till 6 pm.

Neulamäki Library Language Café is an open, relaxed event where you can practice speaking Finnish while playing board games. When you strike up a conversation, it’s easy to get to know new people and cultures.  Of course, you can also participate just by listening!

Library staff will also take part in the games and conversations to collect ideas for future gatherings.

So come along, bring a relaxed attitude and a smile! You can take your whole family with you if you like! No registration needed. Coffee and tea available.

Welcome to English Book Club!

We meet once a month to chat in English about a book, author, or literary theme we’ve chosen together. The books can be read in any language! At our first gathering, we’ll pick the books and themes for the spring. We are open to everyone, no registration required. Our book club is led by a volunteer who speaks English.

Feel free to join any sessions you like! Next meeting is on Wednesday 29 April from 17:30 to 18:30 at main library's (Maaherrankatu 12) learning space, 1st floor, at the back of children’s section (”Koulutustila”)

Weekly Feed is the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter in your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Kuopio campus or because you have joined the mailing list yourself.

Weekly Feed provides you with current information on matters related to the Student Union, UEF or other organisations close to students, such as FSHS. In addition, the newsletter provides you with information on events taking place at campus or the campus city.

Weekly Feed is published on Tuesdays during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and a few other days. If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore, you can unsubscribe the letter via the unsubscription link located on the top of the letter.

You will find more information on ISYY's newsletters and data protection on ISYY's website.