Welcome to the Independence Day torchlight procession!
The first Torchlight Procession was organised in 1951 by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, after which the tradition spread to other student unions in Finland.
The Student Union of the University of Oulu arranges the Independence Day Torchlight Procession, one of our longest surviving academic traditions, on the 6th of December.
All OYY members and alumni are welcome to join the procession. The procession will move from the Market Square to the Intiö Cemetery. The procession will make a stop in front of the Rotuaari stage, where students’ mixed choir Cassiopeia performs.
We will gather at the Toripoliisi statue at 5pm. Before the procession starts, torches and overall patches will be handed to the participants. Please note that there are only 100 torches, so if you want to carry one, arrive at the statue early. From the Market Square, we will walk to the Rotuaari stage, where we will listen to Cassiopeia. When their performance ends, we will proceed to the Intiö cemetery to lay a wreath on the soldiers’ graves. After the procession is done, the torches must be returned to the organisers.
The first 100 participants will get a torchlight procession overall patch. Remember to dress warm for the procession. You can buy an OYY cockade for your upper secondary graduation cap from the OYY office for 2 euros.
SCHEDULE:
- 5 pm Gathering at Toripolliisi
- 5:30 pm Procession leaves the Market Square
- approx. 5:40 pm Cassiopeia performs on the Rotuaari stage
- approx. 6:15 pm Procession arrives to the Intiö cemetery
- approx. 6:30pm Procession ends
See the map of the procession here! You can also come watch the event along the route with children.
Dress code: dark outdoor clothes (if possible), student cap
For additional information: Kati Kantonen, producer@oyy.fi