Hi! I’m Oona, KY’s board member responsible for culture and new students in 2024. Like the others, I’ve spent my weeks working on general board tasks, as well as role-specific duties like planning and revamping orientation, and leading our beloved cultural committee. The role of culture has definitely given me a lot to think about this year.
I believe it’s now safe to say that the pandemic years are starting to feel far behind us. Even for reminiscing about the KY building, one needs to start seeking company among master’s students or even graduates. We have nicely settled in Otaniemi, and so has KY’s culture – or has it? Our largest party venues, Saha and BMK, as well as Smökki, which has become established for the festival weeks, are all located in Otaniemi. Song nights, sitz parties, traditional theme parties, and afterparties all take place in these locations. However, whether it’s Wappu, one of our festival weeks, or Mursujaiset, we head to Helsinki, and often so that we shuttle between Otaniemi and Helsinki multiple times a day.
Some might say that part of KY’s culture is still rooted in Helsinki. That’s likely thanks to our century-long history, from a time when ‘aalto’ meant more than just waves and design wonders. I don’t think that’s necessarily good or bad: after all, it’s a lot more impressive to march down Mannerheimintie on Wappu than Otakaari. At the same time, KY is here to stay in Otaniemi, so we need to start putting down new roots. Otaniemi has historically been fertile ground for student culture, but it doesn’t seem quite so easy for KY now, with ticket sales for cultural events dwindling and fewer new students showing interest in traditional roles.
I believe KY’s cultural transformation is just beginning. How can we ensure that traditions live on while new students feel the community as aligned with their values? How do we make Otaniemi as strong a cultural hub for KY as Helsinki once was? How do we get students back into active roles when interest in traditional positions is fading? Should we refresh our events, or are the traditions themselves valuable enough to hold on to?
Should someone make KY-Espoo? :D
❤️ Oona
