Happy Tuesday!

The festive season is upon us and there's only two weeks till Christmas. Everyone should know by now that Santa Claus (joulupukki) is from Finland and that he lives at Korvatunturi in Lapland. Santa visits Finnish homes on Christmas Eve and brings presents to those who have been nice. In addition, Finns celebrate Christmas by getting together with family and friends, eating Christmas treats, taking things slow, and enjoying the break from work or school. I suggest everyone to do the same regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not.

If you are leaving Kuopio I hope you have enjoyed your time here, learned a lot and made great memories. I would also like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and New Year!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs and Administration

Apply for a band shift at Studentia Band Rehearsal Space by 14 December!

You can now apply for a shift at Studentia Band Rehearsal Space for spring 2026 by filling an online application form. The application period ends on Sunday 14 December at 23:59. All who have applied for a shift will be contacted on week 51. Spring shifts are valid from 2 January until 31 May.

One shift is max. 2 hours. On workdays (Mon-Fri) Studentia is open and the shifts can be applied from 8:00 to 21:00. Weekend shifts are available from 8:00 to 20:00.

Coffee & Friends continues on 27 January on both campuses

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 from 27 January forward at 3-5pm at Lukema in Kuopio and at 4-6pm at Agora Café. 

Next spring’s programme will be updated on ISYY’s webpage in January.

ISYY Representative Council Meeting's Decisions 7/2025 and 1/2026–2027

The last Representative Council meetings of the year were held on 27 November, and the minutes are now available on ISYY’s website.

In its final meeting, the 2024–2025 ISYY Council approved ISYY’s action plan and budget for 2026, adopted a new Communications Strategy, decided to establish a full-time sports advisor position for SYKETTÄ Joensuu, and conditionally confirmed the Representative Council election results.

The newly elected 2026–2027 ISYY Council held its first meeting immediately after. In addition to organising itself, it elected the Student Union’s Chairpersons, the Executive Board for 2026, and the chairs of the chairpersons’ councils.

A photo shows members of the new Council, perhaps including someone you voted for. Your vote mattered, and now it is being used by these representatives who were elected to represent all students!

ISYY club meetings

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

• Fri 12.12. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 14.12. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club
• Wed 17.12. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 21.12. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club
• Fri 26.12. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 28.12. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club

SYKETTÄ goes Joulu 

 Enroll via reservation calendar.

Tuesday 9.12.

• 12.00-13.30 Family badminton, Studentia
• 13.30-15.00 Family badminton, Studentia
• 12.00-13.30 Volleyball, easy-going, Studentia
• 13.30-15.00 Volleyball, experienced, Studentia
• 16.10-17.05 Pump -class, Studentia
• 17.15-18.00 Body maintenance45’, Studentia
• 18.00-18.55 Basketball, Studentia
• 19.30-21.00 Floorball, Luola

Wednesday 10.12.

SpinningMaraton at Kunnonsali from 18.00 to 20.30  Price:  with SYKETTÄ membership 9 € and without membership 13 €.

The December SYKETTÄ newsletter has been published

In this newsletter you will find information e.g. schedule changes in Christmas and New Year. 

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

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

Opening hours of Kuopio campus restaurants for Christmas and New Year 2025

Check out the opening times via the link below. In addition, the traditional Finnish Christmas meal is served on 10 December in the Snellmania restaurant and on 11 December in the Canthia restaurant.

Registration for spring 2026 ends 15 January 

Registration for spring 2026 is open and ends on 15 January 2026. Please, check in Peppi under “Attendance data” if you have already registered for spring semester as present or absent.

All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students must register as being present or absent at the university within the registration period.

If a student fails to register for spring 2026 within the registration period so by 15th of January 2026, the student needs to apply for reinstating their study right and pay the handling fee of 50 euros. So remember to register within the registration period in OILI registration service! You can also change your registration for spring from absent to present in OILI within the registration period.

Kinkkucon event 2.-6.1.2026 in Lukema

Traditional Kinkkucon event will be held in Kuopio 2.-6.1.2026 (Friday-Tuesday) in Lukema. Kinkkucon is a board game event organised by Board Game Club Kärmes, where games are played from morning until evening. The event follows ISYY's principles of safe space.

Come play your favorite games or try new board games in good company!
Entrance fee 5 € / whole weekend

Choir concert: Winter Harmonies: British & Finnish carols

Welcome to listen UEF Kuopio Student Choir’s Christmas concert Winter Harmonies: British & Finnish Carols at Kuopio cathedral (Vuorikatu 17) 9th of December at 6 p.m. Free entry! Program 10 €. The programme consists of modern Finnish, British and American Christmas songs.
 

Best of Bollywood 15.1.

Best of Bollywood makes its grand symphonic debut in Finland, presenting iconic songs from Indian Bollywood style performed by international Bollywood stars and a full symphony orchestra.

The evening promises to be an epic and unforgettable experience, captivating the audience and transporting them to the golden age of Bollywood. This concert showcases a rich variety of Bollywood styles from 1947 to the present day, highlighting how the genre has evolved over the decades.

Tickets only 10,60 € for students!

#KPOWEEK

KYTEE – festival 9.12.-11.12

• Maxim, Haapaniemenkatu 34
• The tenth festival of rhythm music students from Kuopio Conservatory: three evenings full of explosive energy and future stars! There is music to suit all tastes, see the program below. Free admission.

Board game night for ages 15–200, Wed 10.12 at 15-18.30

• Kuopio Main Library, 2nd floor
• You can participate alone or with friends. Check out the themed games or choose any other game on display. Staff will be on hand to provide guidance and play along. Free admission.

Christmas at Puijo 12.12.2025 - 6.1.2026

• Puijo, Puijontie 135
• Step onto the enchanting Christmas Trail. The decorations, lighting, and soundscape are open to the public free of charge from 12.12.2025 to 6.1.2026. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be available to meet visitors near the Puijo letters on 13-14.12 and 20-21.12 at 15-18.

Dance hall Tanssitupa! Sat 13.12 at 11-12.30

• Kuopio Museum's lobby, Museokatu 1
• Learn folk couple and group dances and improvise to live music in a relaxed atmosphere. No previous dance experience or partner required. Free admission.
• Kuopio250-event

Kuopio City Orchestra's two free Christmas concerts Sat 13.12. at 13-15

• at the Matkus shopping center
• The program includes familiar Christmas tunes. The city orchestra will be conducted by Atso Almila. This time, members of the Kuopio Symphony Choir will be in front of the orchestra, leading the audience in singing along. 
• In addition to music, there will be information about the City Orchestra's spring season 2026, as well as a raffle and special offers.

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.