The University of Helsinki has meant a great deal to me. It was easy to get to know teachers and other students alike at the beating heart of the University campus, the PamPam restaurant, aka the ”seminar room” at the old department of history. There was an endless stream of legendary personalities among the teachers. I met most of my best friends in those circles. And I could never forget the countless hours that I spent at the cafeteria of the main building between lectures, enjoying lively and changing company. It wasn’t necessarily always the most efficient way to study, but we did learn how to debate and argue a point, and other social skills useful in later life.

My thesis defence was, in all its cliffhanging decorum, an unforgettable moment. But perhaps the clearest memories are of my master’s degree and doctoral degree graduation ceremonies, along with my husband’s doctoral graduation ceremony, where we got to take a stroll together with our crowned hats and swords. The stiff ceremonies themselves, with all the standing around, can be erased from memory, but the jubilant promotion trips and dinners are another matter. There’s a certain kind of sparky academic joy, sometimes even confidently relaxed, with brilliant speeches and dancing. That’s the pedigree partying I’d hope to see continue. How else would one find oneself in an evening gown at 4am, listening to an aubade or toast to the rising sun, champagne glass in hand?