Blossoming Heritage: Flora’s Day and the Summer Season at Seminaarinmäki Historic Campus



Flora’s Day: A tradition reimagined for all generations
Flora’s Day, celebrated annually on May 13th, is a beloved tradition at the University of Jyväskylä, bringing together students and staff to mark spring’s arrival with choir singing and festivities. This year, the event opened its doors to a wider public, inviting academic and non-academic audiences, including international students and staff, to join the celebration.
The programme featured the launch of a new Campus Guide book, presented by Emerita Pirjo Vuorinen, who shared insights into the history of Flora’s Day and the university’s heritage activities since the 1990s. The vocal ensemble Äänes performed spring-themed songs, followed by the opening of two summer exhibitions: “Nature as a Friend” at the University Library’s Tietoniekka space, showcasing artworks by children and youth inspired by nature, and “Scientist’s Chamber 3.0” at the University Natural History Museum, highlighting citizen science’s role in academic research.
Engaging the community with guided tours and workshops
Visitors enjoyed three free guided tours focusing on the campus’s distinctive architecture and the beautiful Botanical Garden, offered in both Finnish and English. The Exhibition Centre Soihtu hosted the interactive “Time Travel” workshop, transporting guests back to the origins of the Jyväskylä Teacher Seminar in the 19th century.
In parallel, a conference for Finnish elementary school teachers brought educators to the campus, where they also participated in guided tours and explored the Soihtu Exhibition Centre. Later in the week, the annual Yläkaupungin yö festival attracted some 55,000 visitors to Seminaarinmäki and its surroundings, with the university and science museum collaborating to provide key festival venues and programming.
Throughout May, the campus’s architectural heritage and botanical richness were showcased to various specialist groups, reinforcing the site’s green value and cultural importance.
A flourishing summer ahead
The May events marked the lively start of the Seminaarinmäki Campus summer season, which promises continued engagement despite reduced teaching activities during the holidays. Positive feedback highlighted the event’s blend of knowledge, music, and outdoor experiences, with suggestions for future tours focusing on local bird species nesting on campus.
The “Nature as a Friend” exhibition was created in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä Science Museum, Jyväskylä Children’s University JYUNIORIT, the nationwide art-science project “Whose Nature?”, and the City of Jyväskylä Art Museum. Meanwhile, the “Scientist’s Chamber 3.0” exhibition was developed alongside the University Museum and the Finnish Digital Citizen Science Centre. The ongoing Science for All project continues to foster strong partnerships with citizen groups, including the local heritage association Jyväskylä-Seura.
Additionally, the collaboration with the Finnish National Broadcasting Company Yle has expanded beyond its 2024 pilot phase, offering free streaming and recordings of events to reach wider audiences.