Programme subject to change.
LUT University’s traditional festivities include the following events:
Friday 22 May 2026
17:00 Conferment ceremony rehearsal, Lappeenranta City Hall auditorium, Villimiehenkatu 1
The rehearsal goes through the steps of the following day’s conferment ceremony. All doctoral graduates, honorary doctors, and conferrers are to take part in the rehearsal.
19:00 Sword sharpening, Lappeenranta City Theatre lobby, Kaivokatu 5 (Shopping Centre IsoKristiina, 3rd floor)
A get-together for honorary doctors, doctoral graduates, hosts of honorary doctors, companions of all three, and conferment ceremony officials.
The doctoral sword symbolises a weapon of the spirit in pursuit and defence of truth. At LUT, the sword is born by those with a doctorate in business administration or philosophy. The sword is sharpened with due ceremony with the help of a grindstone and sparkling wine. The sword is held by the doctor, the sparkling wine is poured by the companion, and the grindstone is turned by a marshal.
Saturday 23 May 2026
12:00 Conferment ceremony, Lappeenranta City Hall auditorium, Villimiehenkatu 1
The conferment ceremony starts at 12:00 noon as the academic procession arrives in the auditorium. The audience must be seated by 11:45. In addition to the conferment of doctoral degrees and honorary doctorates, the programme includes the rector’s greeting, musical performances, and a conferment address. The conferment will be performed by conferrers representing different disciplines (technology, business, philosophy). The conferrer presents the doctor with a certificate (and sword) and places the hat on the doctor's head.
The conferment is followed by a question to the doctor primus. The dissertation and doctoral studies of the doctor primus have been completed with distinction. The identity of the doctor primus will be revealed in the conferment ceremony.
The ceremony will be concluded with the Finnish national anthem, after which the procession will exit the auditorium.
Approximately 15:00 Academic procession to the Lappeenranta military cemetery
The academic procession from City Hall proceeds to the Lappeenranta military cemetery for a wreath laying at the war memorial. The route of the procession will be confirmed later. Spectators are welcome to watch the procession along the route.
19:00 Banquet and ball, Holiday Club Saimaa, Rauhanrinne 1, 55320 Rauha
The banquet includes dinner, a promovendi speech, and a ball with live music.