All participants, accompanying persons and exhibitors, who have registered for the congress and have a congress badge, are warmly invited to take part in the social events. Study visits, however, are for registered conference delegates only. Unless otherwise mentioned, the events are included in the registration fee. You should register for the events by completing the appropriate part of the on-line registration form and by paying the appropriate fee for those events, which are at extra cost. For some events a maximum number of participants is given. For organisational reasons we reserve the right to restrict the number of guests even if the event has no fee. First come, first served. The organisers also reserve the right to cancel tours or study visits, if there are not enough advance bookings.
Place: the Old City Hall at the Central Square
The City of Tampere cordially invites us for cocktails at the Old City Hall, located at the Central Square, in the midst of Tampere. This neo-renaissance building from the year 1890 is a real beauty itself - but moreover the numerous paintings and works of art that decorate the halls will delight you. It provides the ideal setting for this official welcome.
Max. 500 persons
Place: Restaurant Plevna in the Finlayson Area
Price: 30 € delegates and accompanying persons
This informal get-together takes place in the Plevna Brewery Pub & Restaurant in the old Finlayson cotton mill area just a short walk from the Central Square and the Old City Hall. You can come right after the City Reception. Plevna Buffet and one award winning house-brewed beer are included in the price as well music entertainment. In addition to their own brews, Plevna has a long list of other interesting beers from around the world to taste. And last but not least, you can enjoy good company of your colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.
Max. 400 persons
Place: Tampere Hall, Main Auditorium
The congress will be opened in the beautiful Main Auditorium of Tampere Hall. In addition to the welcoming addresses, we get to listen to international music performed by the preschool children of the English School of Tampere.
Place: Vapriikki Museum Centre
Max 400 persons
Price: 20 € delegates, 60 € accompanying persons
The Finnish Cultural Evening is held in Museum Centre Vapriikki in the old engineering works of Tampella on the banks of the Tammerkoski Rapids. in the 1990’s the factory was converted into a museum centre hosting several exhibitions. The industrial setting with large windows and red-brick walls, takes you back time. while enjoying the performances of the Finnish artists, like the internationally known quartet Rakka, to taste the delicious and fresh delicacies of the Finnish cuisine. during the evening director General Ms. Vestala is hosting a brief award ceremony to celebrate four local NGOs and sport clubs active in promoting the participation of immigrant youth in their activities. in the course of the evening you have the possibility to visit many different exhibitions free of charge, like The Natural History Museum, The Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, The Shoe Museum, Tammerkoski Rapids and the Story of Tampere, Tampere 1918, and Time to Play – Treasures of the Toy box. it is also possible, at your own expense, to see the treasures on display in the visiting exhibition from China, the historically significant eighth wonder of the world: The Terracotta Army and Treasures of the First Emperors of China at 18.00–19.00.
at 19.00-20.00
Place: Tampere Cathedral
Come and listen to Finnish choir music by the Tampere University Singers and the sounds of the master organ in the beautiful National Romantic style Lutheran Cathedral. The building itself is a masterpiece of Art (built in 1902-1907) and famous for its frescoes. We will also have guide telling us about the church architecture and the symbolism of the frescoes.
After the reception you will easily find a nice restaurant in the city centre if you wish to have dinner or continue the evening in one of the various bars or clubs of Tampere.
19.00-22.00
Place: the Old Student House
The students’ unions in Tampere welcome all international students attending the Metropolis conference to an informal get-together at the restaurant Old Student Hall. Students will have the opportunity of exchanging experiences of international mobility and student life as well as enjoy a relaxed evening with music and local DJs.
Farewell Dinner Party
at 19.00
Place: Pakkahuone Old Customs House and the Club
Price: 50 € delegates, 85 € accompanying guests
Join us for the great Conference Dinner hosted by the University of Tampere at the Pakkahuone Old Customs House and the Club, which at the end of the 1980s were renovated to serve a variety of cultural purposes. A delicious buffet dinner with wine will be served. Finnish music and entertainment programme. Come along and mingle with your old and new friends and colleagues. This is an event not to missed!
The Club is designated for the student delegates. You have a chance to continue the evening in the Club after the Dinner Party with the locals and join the Club’s “Night Club” at 22.30 onwards.
The wagtail is the provincial bird of the Tampere Region
Wagtails are small birds with long tails which they wag frequently. Wagtails are slender, often colourful, ground-feeding insectivores of open country in the Old World. They are ground nesters, laying up to six speckled eggs at a time. Among their most conspicuous behaviours is a near constant tail wagging, a trait that has given the birds their common name.
(source: Wikipedia)