Timo Eränkö warmly remembers working in student organisations, an activity which strongly influenced his worldview.

‘I was involved in the literature students’ organisation, Katharsis, and the Academic Socialists Society (ASS). ASS was very important for me as an arena for exchanging ideas and the development of my worldview. Contrary to what the rumours say, the organisation was full of really good people. It wasn’t all a narrow-minded atmosphere.’

Ideological organisations were left behind when Eränkö joined the Students’ Theatre.

‘I withdrew from ASS when I went to the Students’ Theatre. I acted and made plays there. I am a disciple of the Students’ Theatre. Café Vanha has been always been the heart of the university community for me.’

Eränkö also remembers the more everyday things.

‘The chicken dishes in Porthania and the Main Building were wonderful.’

Even after his student days, Eränkö has returned to use the services offered by the university.

‘The Yliopistopaino printing office, which is now called Unigrafia, has been especially important to my career. I’ve had to print thousands of pages of, among other things, Lapinlahden Linnut material, and the Yliopistopaino has been an excellent place.’

Lapinlahden Linnut’s ‘Kuppilan tango’

Lapinlahden Linnut’s song ‘Kuppilan tango’ tells about the long-standing meeting place, Café Vanha. The video shows the band at its 25th anniversary celebration at the Old Student House on April 11, 2008.