Annual student events in Vaasa

Fastlaskiainen is a traditional sledding competition held in February on Shrove Tuesday. Several student associations gather to slide down a hill in sleds they have built themselves. The event is open to all students in Vaasa.

A whole week filled with activities culminating in a grand student party! Pampas is one of the largest student events among Swedish-speaking students. The event is organised annually by the Pampas Mafia.

The event consists of “Olympics” at Vaasa Market Square, a student party at the Rewell shopping centre, and the following day’s sillis, or traditional herring breakfast (see Dictionary for New Students below).

Boom City Appro is an “appro” event in Ostrobothnia, where you complete degrees by collecting stamps in your official “appro passport” at approved appro restaurants and bars. The appro tour takes place in the centre of Vaasa.

The appro tour culminates in memorable afterparties, where each participant receives the drinking degree they earned with their appro passport.

Wappen, also known as Vappu or Valborg, is one of the most important student festivities that takes place in early spring.

Unofficially, the onset of Finnish spring is marked by the exuberant celebration of Vappu (The First of May). Vappu is a carnival-like festivity intended for all. The Vappu that we know and love today has its origins in celebrating the arrival of springtime, the working class, and upper secondary graduates. It is very common to see people of all ages donning their student caps throughout the Vappu festivities.

Vappu is the best time for students! A student’s Vappu consists of a weeks-long array of events, culminating on the first day of May. During Vappu, you can see a colorful crowd of students in their overalls at Hovioikeudenranta and the downtown area.

When autumn arrives and schools start, many student associations organise their own so-called ‘fuksi-kastajaiset’ in Finnish or ‘gulnäbbsintagning’ in Swedish. It involves a series of small competitions and challenges for the new students. Participants form teams, and if you wish, you can sign up for one of the events.

Vaasa’s higher education institutions and student unions co-organise the annual Vaasa Campus Festival, typically held in September. In addition to university students and staff, all city residents are welcome to attend the festival. The event is free, and the age limit is 18 years.

The Coastal Appro is the largest student event in Ostrobothnia, where students complete an appro round in the centre of Vaasa. During the appro round, you earn credits by collecting stamps in your official appro passport from designated appro restaurants.

The market square serves as the appro area, where various activities are organized throughout the day. At the end of the day, artists often perform at Vaasa’s market square. The festivities of the appro day are often continued with after-parties.

Finland’s Independence Day is a festive occasion for students as well, as student organisations organise a traditional torchlight procession at Vaasa Market Square. After the celebratory parade, speeches are delivered in both native languages, and choirs sing songs appropriate for the occasion.