The statue of the Jätkä was washed and given a student cap.
Rovaniemi’s own Jätkä was once again honoured to be part of the Vappu tradition, when students gathered on May Day evening 30.4. to wash the statue of the Jätkä The students gathered at Lordin aukio, from where the traditional procession set off towards Jätkänpuisto.
The programme included greetings from representatives of the University and the City, Rector Antti Syväjärvi and the President of the City Council Susanna Viitala, the chairs of the student organisations, the student union of the University of Applied Sciences and other organisations. The music was provided by the VPK band.
The chairs of the subject organisations entertained the audience with their Huugi-guugi show, the student union Rotko of the University of Applied Sciences presented their greetings and we heard several greetings from different organisations, reminding the students that there are many different organisations in Rovaniemi where students can find their place.
This year, for the first time ever Diverssi ry washed the statue of Jätkä and placed a brand new cap on it. The students were then invited to put on their graduation or professional caps and sing Gaudeamus Igitur. Afterwards, RovIO representatives put up a wreath of flowers on the statue. The celebration culminated in the traditional Fuksikaste, where the new students had the opportunity to dip their overalls with a water spray made possible by the VPK.
Speech by the chair of the executive board of LYY
In his speech, Chair Roope Rantala, emphasised the importance of community and interdisciplinarity, called for cooperation on the student housing crisis and criticised the government’s social security cuts.
Below is a summary of the speech:
Dear students, people of Rovaniemi, good Wappu people
In April’s framework debate, the Finance Minister’s famous cutting scissors sounded again when students were made to pay for balancing the state budget. The transfer of students to the housing supplement for study support will cut the support of a student living in Rovaniemi by €2 000 a year – an exorbitant amount! The Finnish government has a good goal to raise the level of education, but it will not be raised by such measures.
At this time, we need to invest in student welfare and support for students’ ability to study. The amount of teaching and guidance needs to be radically increased. We need more presence, more debate, more motivation for the future.
The free education system is the pride of Finnish society and should not be scrapped. It gives everyone the opportunity to pursue their own dreams and educate themselves up to the highest levels. However, in the name of wisdom, we must recognise that these are difficult times. It is therefore only fair that students should also contribute according to their own capacity.
Dear citizens of Rovaniemi
As student incomes deteriorate and tourism increases, we must ensure that affordable housing continues to be available here. We need cooperation, we need courage, we need investment. It is not enough to talk about the future; solutions must be found so that people can continue to study here.
The student union has invited DAS, the university group and the city to find solutions to the student housing crisis. The above-mentioned parties responded to the invitation to negotiate on the same day. This is a sign of good cooperation on which to build!
Dear friends
The past year has been a difficult one for us in the Student Union. Thanks to increased distance learning, our shared campus has become deserted, which led to the closure of Our Lovisa. Short-sighted decisions in recent years have driven the Student Union into financial distress. Difficult decisions have had to be made and are likely to be made again.
The aim of the current government is to make us a respected and vibrant student union again. Despite the difficult times, I promise and assure you that we in the Board will do all we can to overcome these challenges.
The Student Union does a lot of important work behind the scenes and we work for the rights and interests of each and every one of you. We meet decision-makers, support student organisations and promote interdisciplinarity. Unfortunately, all this important and valuable work is not visible enough to the outside world. This year, we got student representation on the university’s steering committee and new summer jobs for the city of Rovaniemi. These two things are concrete proof that the work we do really matters.
Dear students
The University of Lapland is an exceptional institution by world standards, where the sense of community is unique. However, too often people think of their own field or their own group as “here is us and elsewhere is them”. The focus is on differences – on the wrong things.
Today, at the very least, is the time to look at students as we all are – We Students. Not this and that, not this and that, not overalls of this colour and that colour, but all of us together, in the same mould. Treat each other with respect and be worthy of the trust of others. Our diversity is a richness, but we are also all united by one thing – being a student in Lapland.
With these words, I wish a nostalgic Vappu to everyone!
Vappu final
The final highlight was at Half Moon, where students were entertained by Lauri Haav.
Thanks to
Thanks to the Domus Arctica Foundation for making RöllöWappu possible.Thanks to the student organisations that organised Vappu with many events. They have made it possible to have a multidisciplinary time and meet new people. It is one of the best things about RöllöWappu and let’s continue to keep it up that way