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Eloseminaari themes were creativity, meaningfulness, and visions for the future

The annual get-together event brought together the Aalto ARTS community and provided inspiration for the start of the academic year.
A man in a black blazer speaks using a microphone in front of a projector screen during a presentation.
All photos: Liivia Pallas

The fall semester at the University of Arts, Design and Architecture began on Thursday, August 21, with the traditional seminar Eloseminaari. The day began with a visit to the Amos Rex museum and continued with a joint seminar at Kulttuurikasarmi downtown Helsinki.

In his opening speech, Dean Tuomas Auvinen noted that it has become more widely understood in the society that the significant challenges of our time require urgent solutions. In this work, he emphasized, creativity is essential, and that is already recognized in many organizations.

The keynote speech of the day was given by Frank Martela, who led the audience in reflecting on the sources of internal motivation. According to him, the meaning of life can be summed up as follows: “It is about making things meaningful to you in a way that makes you meaningful to other people.”

Saara Saarinen and Sari Laine, experts from the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, discussed future-oriented practices and encouraged participants to envision the kind of future we want to build together. Sitra's goal is to strengthen Finnish organizations' ability to anticipate the future and innovate, and the School of Arts, Design and Architecture also contributes to this work.

Auvinen also reminded everyone of the important theme of Caring and enjoyment in our work, which aims to promote self-care, care for others and the well-being of all. 

"Let's continue the good work also this academic year," he said.

Photos of the event:

Ihmiset seurustelevat ulkokahvilassa, jossa on oranssit aurinkovarjot ja moderni rakennus taustalla.
A group of people seated in a conference room with beige curtains and large windows.
Mikrofonia pitelevä henkilö kuvioidussa takissa esitysnäytön edessä.

A record number of participants came to discuss and hear the talks.

Ryhmä ihmisiä istuu konferenssihuoneessa, jossa on beiget verhot ja suuret ikkunat.
Person in a patterned jacket holding a microphone, standing in front of a presentation screen.
Henkilö, jolla on värikäs paita ja ruskea hattu, puhuu mikrofoniin, taustalla kuva metsänäkymästä.

New professors presented themself: Assistant professor Katrin Greiling, interior architecture.

Mikrofonia pitelevä henkilö kuvioidussa takissa esitysnäytön edessä.
A person wearing a colourful shirt and brown hat speaks into a microphone with a background of an image of a forest.
Kaksi naista seisomassa; yksi pitää mikkiä, toinen seisoo pöydän vieressä jossa vesikannu ja laseja.

Assistant professor Frank Martela talked about inner motivation and meaningfulness.

Henkilö, jolla on värikäs paita ja ruskea hattu, puhuu mikrofoniin, taustalla kuva metsänäkymästä.
Two women standing; one holds a microphone, and the other stands by a round table with a water pitcher and glasses.
Ihmiset seurustelevat ulkokahvilassa, jossa on oranssit aurinkovarjot ja moderni rakennus taustalla.

Sitra's experts were leading the audience to envisioning the future.

Kaksi naista seisomassa; yksi pitää mikkiä, toinen seisoo pöydän vieressä jossa vesikannu ja laseja.
People socialising at an outdoor cafe with orange umbrellas and a modern building in the background.
Ryhmä ihmisiä istuu konferenssihuoneessa, jossa on beiget verhot ja suuret ikkunat.

While a break the seminar participants enjoyed the terrace of Kulttuurikasarmi.

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