Thousands of University of Tartu alumni gathered for the get together

On 18 May, thousands of University of Tartu alumni met in the student city again after five years. The alumni get-together “Back to the university” included lectures and tours of institutes across the city, a sing-along and welcoming speeches in front of the main building, a procession and a grand party in the sports hall.

According to the Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, university days shape each young person’s life and are worth remembering decades later. “What our alumni have received from the University of Tartu are high-quality education and valuable experiences; undoubtedly, they have found friends from various specialisations for life. I invite you to Tartu in the spring to look back on years spent at the university and strengthen your ties with your fellow students and alma mater,” said Asser.

The first half of the day was full of exciting reunions, lectures by renowned lecturers and tours of the university buildings. Among other things, our alumni were able to take a tour of the main building, visit the university’s museums free of charge, take a tour of the legendary Mordor (dormitory at Narva mnt 89) and ride the rodeo bull at the Gunpowder Cellar restaurant. The full programme is available on the university website.

The event welcomed all members of the alumni family who feel a connection to their alma mater and wish to look back on their student years with former fellow students. All other friends of the University of Tartu were also welcome.

Get-together programme

•    10:00–18:00 Events at institutes and faculties

Take a tour of the main building, visit the university's museums free of charge, visit the legendary Mordor (dormitory at Narva mnt 89) and take a ride on the rodeo horse at the restaurant Püssirohukelder. Information on all events in Estonian can be found on respective websites.

•    10:00–17:30 Debates on the university stage at the Tartu [pre]opinion Festival in Kesklinna park, the central city park.

Discussion topics will range from the future of the Estonian language, divided opinions in society, healthcare issues and the credibility of science and scientists.

•    18:30–19:00 Rector of the University of Tartu greeting the alumni in front of the main building and mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas handing over power to the alumni for one night

Fun sing-along led by the Tartu Academic Men’s Choir, the choir Causa Amoris of academic organisations and female choir of the sorority Korp! Indla. Watch the event live on UTTV.

•    19:00–20:00 Procession

The procession will move from the university’s main building to the sports hall to music by the brass band Popsid.

•    20:00–04:00 Grand alumni party in the university’s sports hall

The party hosts will be Andres Dvinjaninov and Saara Pius.  The bands 2 Quick Start, Justament, and Popsid as well as DJ Kalev K will perform at the party. Doors open at 19:00, the opening performance starts at 20:00. Tickets are available in Piletitasku.

Tartu 2024 celebrates the start of the summer of culture from 15 to 19 May. See the spectacular programme on their webpage.
 

Invite your coursemates back to your former classroom

On the day of the alumni get-together, you can book rooms at the institutes to meet your former fellow students. Further information on these can be found on the institutes’ websites:

• rooms of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• rooms of the Faculty of Social Sciences
• rooms of the Faculty of Medicine
• rooms of the Faculty of Science and Technology

Spend the alumni reunion night in a dormitory

If you have nowhere to stay when you come to the alumni get-together, you can make a reservation at Tartu Downtown Hostel (Raatuse 22). You can do this by filling in the form on the website at https://tartuhostel.ee/en/. If you type the keyword “Alumni get-together" in the comment box on the form, you will get a discount. The discounted price is 30 euros for a single room and 35 euros for a double room. The number of beds is limited.

Donate for growing the pillar of wisdom in Estonia

The university invites all alumni to donate to the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund, which aims to support students in their studies and research.  When the fund was established, it was named by the then patron of the University of Tartu Foundation Lennart Meri, who referred to the seventh pillar as the pillar of wisdom. Read more and donate at the foundation’s website.