Uniarts Helsinki’s conferment ceremony 2024 in pictures
See photos and videos from our second joint conferment ceremony 16.–18.8.2024.
About conferment ceremony
Master’s and doctoral graduates from Uniarts Helsinki’s three academies – the Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy and Theatre Academy – were conferred their degrees in the official conferment ceremony. Additionally, eight honorary doctorates were conferred on individuals who represent pioneers in their fields, advocates for arts education or influencers who have advanced the societal role and significance of the arts in Finland and internationally. Read more about the conferment ceremony 2024.
Dance rehearsals
The promovendis had the opportunity to practise the ballroom dances to be danced at the dinner beforehand. Master’s, doctoral and honorary doctors attended the rehearsals with their own avec.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Wreath-weaving
In the event, the wreath-weavers weaved laurel wreaths, which symbolise learning and triumph in the Roman way, for their master’s promovendi. The wreaths were lowered on the heads of the master’s promovendi at the main event of the conferment ceremony day, the conferment act.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Tohtorinhatun sovittajaiset
The event was meant for doctoral promovendi and honorary doctors along with their companions. The programme includes speeches, art and mingling. The event is a lovely start for the conferment week and a chance to get to know and mingle with other doctoral graduates. The event also included practice in the handling of the doctoral hat and the etiquette involved.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Celebration of the arts
The festive conferment ceremony weekend began with a multiartistic production and a captivating music experience at Musiikkitalo.
Photos: Petri Summanen
Conferment act
Uniarts Helsinki conferred 51 doctorates, 57 master’s degrees and eight honorary doctorates in its conferment ceremony
The recipients of honorary doctorates were President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, conductor Susanna Mälkki, Romani music performer and collector Hilja Grönfors, theatre influencer Hanna Helavuori, CEO Heikki Lehtonen, Brazilian dancer, choreographer and teacher Lia Rodrigues, German filmmaker, writer and researcher Hito Steyerl and British contemporary artist Tacita Dean. The title of honorary doctor is the highest honour that the university can award to a person.
Photos: Petri Summanen
Procession
On Saturday afternoon, the public had the opportunity to watch one of the most visually striking moments of the conferment event, the procession that consisted of masters, doctors and honorary doctors walking through the Helsinki city centre. There was a range of artistic performances happening on the route of the procession, which left from the Helsinki Music Centre and later split into two groups, one going to the ecumenical jubilee in the Temppeliaukio Church and the other to the secular jubilee at Kulttuurikasarmi.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Ecumenical jubilee
After the conferment act, a conferment church service is organised simultaneously with the event of celebration at Kulttuurikasarmi.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Secular jubilee
After the conferment act, an event of celebration will be held simultaneously with a church service.
Photos:: Petri Summanen
Conferment dinner and dances
The day of the ceremony had a distinguished finish at the Old Student House, where the conferred masters and doctors along with their companions and other special guests gathered for a dinner. The evening culminated in a conferment ball.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
Excursion
In keeping with the finest traditions, the conferment trip combined a sail and a bubbly brunch in Lonna island.
Photos: Tuomas Tenkanen
More information
Contact information: promootio@uniarts.fi