First joint CBU/BCBU summer school in Rovaniemi (1)

Hei everyone,

The time is flying, it is more than one month has passed since the first CBU/BCBU summer school have successfully finished in Rovaniemi. The school has gathered experts and students from different fields, universities and countries. Our batch has started from Joensuu by bus, we were more than 20 people in there, representing St-Petersburg University and University of Joensuu. Our chief was always with us, Eero Forss has been a good manager during the entire trip and staying in there. The School has been aimed to vanish the borders between neighbouring countries, and it seemed to working fine. Even though officially it was Finnish-Russian Cross-Border Summer School the event has accounted huge number of different nationalities. Totally the school has gathered students from Arctic University in Arkhangelsk, Petrozavodsk State University, St-Petersburg State University, University of Eastern Finland (both Joensuu and Kuopio campuses were presented), University of Helsinki, University of Oulu, and of course University of Lapland. Actually it was the first trip up to the north so far within Finland, I have been on Kola peninsula (Murmansk region) in Khibiny mountains earlier, however I was very excited to see what is up north in Finland. The timing of the event has been chosen perfectly, since it was still the last week of calendar summer and was relatively warm. The distance from Joensuu to Rovaniemi was over 550 km and lasted about 8 hours drive. So we started our jorney at 1 p.m. in order to arrive not too late to our final destination. While traveling to the north you can easily notice the difference in the landscape and vegatation. The most exciting things appeared close to Rovaniemi, the drive had to use emergency breaking in order to prevent the road accidents with northern pedestrian. You can easily guess that I am talking about deers. These animals are semi-free in here, it means that they are freely walking, however each of them has a mark which tells the owner. So we are safely arrive to Rovaniemi and looking forward towards school programme, more in details I will tell you in next blog... see you!!!     

End of summer season

Hei everyone,
Hope everybody had a good summer. The summer was unusually rainy and cold. The effect can be seen on the exceptionally high water level in the river. If you have not noticed that please check it in the district of Rantakylä in Joensuu. The Utra island is a good example, here it could be seen that water level have risen up to half a meter.
    
Such weather has an  impact on berries’ and mushrooms’ yield. Those still can be found in the forest abundantly. Blueberry season is almost over, however lingonberry and cranberry are still coming. Some very successful pickers are able to pick up berries both for own needs and earn some money while giving them to berry collectors’ centers.

On a last week of August Joensuu celebrated “Joen Yö” which is one of the biggest event of the city. This day the museums are free of charge and working hours are much longer than usually. In addition to that the shops in city center also open longer. Most of the activities are concentrated around the marketplace and along the river. The swimming hall is also open longer than usually, however there is an entry fee. Weather forecast was favourable to enjoy the last day of the summer.

Have a nice beginning of semester and good luck on orientation programme for new-comers!

Introductory course for forestry students in August

Hi there,

This year the Introductory course "Forestry in NE Europe with Special Reference to Sustainability" will be held from 13th to 24th of August in University of Eastern Finland, in Joensuu. This course is part of Forestry and Environmental Engineering Masters' Programme. The content covers an overview of forest sector in Finland and Russia, including forest policy, forest legislation, forest technology, ecological aspects of forestry, forest industry and forest resources. As well as fundamentals of Finnish-Russian cross-border co-operation in forest sector. The study mode includes lectures given by both Finnish and Russian experts, excursions to local forestry companies and other forest sector organisations, group assignments, and other assignments specified during the course.

The participants are expected to do a pre-course readings for the four literature seminars, writing one-page reaction paper for each seminar. In addition to that group work and oral presentation and written group work report, individual learning diary and an exam based on the readings, lectures and other course materials.

Teachers giving the lectures during the course represent University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki, Finnish Forest Research Institute, St.Petersburg State Forest Technical University, Moscow State Forest University. In addition to that the lecturs are mixed with interesting excursions to forest industry companies in Joensuu and surroundings.There are expected 21 students represent 5 different universities.  

Good luck with the course!

   

Mid summer fest

Last Friday in the University when I was leaving my working place in afternoon the building was already very silent.It's because of the Mid Summer Festival, this blog I write of the history and traditions regarding this celebrations from different sources.

European midsummer-related holidays, traditions, and celebrations are pre-Christian in origin. They are particularly important in Northern Europe - Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon juhla, after the Finnish god Ukko. In Karelia tradition, many bonfires were burned side by side, the biggest of which was called Ukko-kokko (the "bonfire of Ukko"). After the celebrations were Christianized, the holiday became known as juhannus after John the Baptist (Finnish: Johannes Kastaja). Since 1955, the holiday has always been on a Saturday (between June 20 and June 26). Earlier it was always on June 24. Many of the celebrations of midsummer take place on midsummer eve, when many workplaces are closed and shops must close their doors at noon.
In the Finnish midsummer celebration, bonfires (Finnish kokko) are very common and are burnt at lakesides and by the sea. Often two young birch trees (koivu) are placed on either side of the front door to welcome visitors. The Swedish speaking Finns  often celebrate by erecting a midsummer or maypole (Swedish midsommarstång, majstång).
In folk magic, midsummer was a very potent night and the time for many small rituals, mostly for young maidens seeking suitors and fertility. Will of wisps were believed to appear at midsummer night, particularly to finders of the mythical "fern in bloom" and possessors of the "fern seed", marking a treasure. An important feature of the midsummer in Finland is the white night and the midnight sun. Because of Finland's location spanning around the Arctic Circle the nights near the midsummer day are short or non-existent. This gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time. The temperature can vary between 0 °C and +30 °C, with an average of about 20 °C in the South.
Many Finns leave the cities for Midsummer and spend time in the countryside. Nowadays many spend a few days there, and some Finns (who do not travel abroad) take their whole vacation in a cottage. Rituals include bonfires, cookouts, a sauna and spending time together. Heavy drinking is also associated with the Finnish midsummer.

Have a nice summer!

Last moments of spring - practical informaiton in summer

Hello everyone,

Officially spring semester is over, however unofficially it was over in the first half of May. This spring has started relativety late at the same time the snow melting was very intensive. Last few weeks the weather has been very warm and already several days of a bit colder weather now.
The university cumpuses a much calmer now, and there are routine repairing work are going on in different parts of unviersity.
Please take into account that not all the Amica units which provide food services will work all the summer:
- Canteen Kuutti is closed 22.6 - 5.8
- Canteen Pipetti is closed 1.6 -2.9
- Canteen Pihlaja is closed 1.6 -2.9
- Canteen Verola is open in summer
- Cafeteria Kurniekka 1.6-2.9
- Canteen Carelia is open in summer
- Restaurant Aura is open in summer

Please also take into account that summer schedule of University library  will change in summer time, for instance in Joensuu campus the timetable for summer period is following:

Monday - Tuesday  9-16
Wednesday             9-18
Thursday - Friday    9-16
Saturday                 Closed

For those who has not have time to explore cultural features and history of Finland are welcome to do it in summer. It is definately the best season. There are a lot of indoor and outdoor activities, both within and outside of Joensuu. Just couple of interesting places to visit in Joensuu:
- The North Karelian Provincial Museum
- Joensuu Art Museum
- Taitokortteli, the Artisan's quarter 
- Botania – the University Botanical Gardens
More information about the activities in Northern Karelia could be found from here:
http://visitkarelia.fi/en/Explore/North-Karelia/North-Karelia-on-Map/Joensuu#General_information (also available in English).

Please also check if the schedule of university health center is still the same, I am pretty sure that it will change during summer period, however I did not find the exact timetable to reffer.

I received today email from Markku Ropo, who is frequently updating forestry students about possible events and activities in Joensuu (the information below is from Markku). Those who are interested to find a unique items should try to visit outdoor flea markets . The one held in the marketplace is the traditional one (torikirppis), there has already been one market, the future dates are these, they all fall on a Sunday.

·  June: 10.6.

·  July: 1.7., 15.7. ja 29.7.

·  August: 12.8. ja 26.8.

This year there is a competing one by the river (satamakirppis), also on Sundays, dates are these: 20.5., 3.6., 17.6., 8.7., 22.7., 5.8. and 19.8. , time  12-16.

 Enjoy the beginning of summer!

Enjoy the Vappu Festival!

Hello everybody,

The spring semester is rolling over and there is a little bit to tell about a Finnish tradition called Vappu (the 1st of May).The Vappu celebrations over here are dancing on the streets. It's always been a students' day in this country even though workers tried to take over at some point and claim it their day.

It's a long long tradition from way back when, as well, that students give the statue Havis Amanda at the Market Square Kauppatori in Helsinki a good scrub and put a giant size white student's cap on her head in the evening before Vappu.

On Vappu morning, people wear their white student caps and go to have early morning champagne in the park. You have to go really early if you want to grab a good spot for camping in Helsinki because it is crowded. In Joensuu the situation is much better with the room for camping, however normally it is slightly colder out here. Students wear traditional dresses which are very colorful and distinct each Faculty from others.

This occasion gathers tens of thousands of people all over the country who are throwing serpentine, drinking champagne and enjoying usually in a very cold weather.

Well, that's about it. Just wanted to share some of the stuff with you.

HAUSKAA VAPPUA!

The winter doesn't give up - skiing everywhere!!!

Hi there,

Most of you, who are settled in Joensuu probably already dreaming about the spring to come. I started to feel that spring is about to come since we have changed the time 1 hour ahead last weekend, when the light days started to be longer. The Mother-Nature every now and then gives us sunny days and surprises with sudden snowfalls as well. I measured the amount of snow in the morning when coming out of the building in the morning, 6 cm - unbelievable. I do cross-country skiing quite often myself and I think with this kind of whether it will be possible to ski till mid of April, unfortunately not on the lakes.I do skiing close to football pitch in Lehmo, you can ski even during late evening on 1.7 km track with the lights. The forecast for the end of this week till mid of next week says that we can expect most of the time below -10 degrees in the night and about zero during the day.


This creates a lot of opportunity for those who would like to ski in "off-track" conditions, simply to say in every direction. Such difference in temperature creates thin crust of ice over the snow, which supports on a snow surface and you are not sinking into the snow as after the snowfall. The best time to do the "off-track" skiing is before noon, otherwise the temperature rises and thin crust of ice melts. Try it, it is really nice!!! If you intending to do it in the forest, please do not forget about personal safety - compass, map and mobile phone might be useful.

It is also the best time for wolfs to hunt their prey, especially moose. The moose is heavy and normally stuck in the snow, while wolves are circling the animal. I watched some videos filmed in this season, and it is amazing.

Good luck with your studies and have a nice coming Easter holidays!