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Academic events and traditions

Memories of the 2025 Ceremonial Conferment

The sixth Ceremony week of the School Arts, Design and Architecture was celebrated from 11th to 14th June 2025. Events were recorded both in videos and photos.
People wearing blue academic hats and black gowns seated in rows during a ceremony.
Photo: Aalto University / Heli Sorjonen

At the wreath weaving event, the masterpromovendi create a wreath for themselves, which is placed on their heads during the Conferment act. The wreath is also worn at the Conferment ball. According to tradition, the wreath is made or finalised by the master's spouse, partner or another close person. The event also has a ceremonial wreath-weaver, in 2025 Iida Kukkapuro, who assists those who do not have their own close person present. At the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, it is traditional that each conferment has a different material for the wreath. In 2025, the materials and base of the wreath are designed by Assistant Professor Barbara Pollini. The event was held in Kipsari in the Väre building. 

Doctors from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture do not carry a doctoral sword; instead, the tradition includes a doctoral gown in addition to the doctoral hat. The gowns belong to the school, and each conferred doctor labels the gown they wear during the Conferment ceremony, thus adding their name to the chain of doctors from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. 

The honorary doctors of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture for 2025 participated in an open panel discussion.

A moment for reflection is a peaceful moment where participants calm down before the Conferment. During the short moment, texts from various philosophies and beliefs were read, and the programme also included a musical performance. According to Conferment tradition, the day has started with a church service, but the tradition has been updated to be non-denominational.

The Conferment ceremony is the most important part of the ceremony week where the actual conferment takes place. The Conferment act included speeches, music, and the conferment of honorary doctorates, doctorates, and master's degrees, symbolised by the placing of a wreath or doctoral hat on the head. The promovendi and professors enter the hall as part of a ceremonial procession and also exit as a procession. There is also a specific dress code for the Conferment.

The Conferment dinner and ball included a three-course dinner, musical performances and speeches, followed by traditional dances. The rest of the evening was celebrated more freely with a DJ.  
 

The Conferment brunch ends the ceremony week with a relaxed joint brunch. In 2025, the brunch was eaten at Restaurant Sipuli in Helsinki.

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