Turku Varsity marks founding centenary on Feb 27

The University of Turku will celebrate its founding centenary on February 29, said the university in a press release.

The university authorities have invited all the students, staff, citizens of Turku, and visitors to celebrate the university’s 100th anniversary in the UTU100 Carnival that starts at the square between the Old Academic Building and Turku Cathedral at 6:00 p.m., from where the participants will continue in a torchlight procession towards the University Hill.

The university will organise an open outdoors event for everyone to celebrate its one hundred years of history. The event features blasts from the university’s past, large led balls, a laser light show with music, and other programmes.

“The UTU100 Carnival is an hour-long open air event to be held at the University Hill and it will be a great experience for everyone. The overarching theme of the carnival is light, which is featured from the torchlight procession to the laser show that tops off the event,” said Professor Riitta Pyykkö, chair of the steering group for the anniversary year.

Candles and torches will be distributed to the participants at the square next to the Old Academy Building at 6.00 p.m.

“We hope that as many people as possible of all ages – students, staff, residents and visitors to Turku – will come and celebrate with us,” Pyykkö added.

The torchlight procession will walk to the university along the Koskenniemikatu Street. During the procession, the new lighting of the Koskenniemenkatu and the University Hill will be lit. Participants will also be showcased scenes from different decades of the university’s history and entertained by the men’s quartet Kosteat Kosijat.

Rector of the University Jukka Kola will welcome the guests and the second speech will be given by Vice Rector Pia Björn.

The event will be topped off by an impressive laser light show with music.