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Turku, September 9th
Dear ISHA Participant,
ISHA Turku is proud and pleased to wish you all welcome to Finland!
After preparations lasting 13 months we are soon ready to welcome
you all to Turku, the former Finnish capital, center of South-west
Finland, and the seat of the longest standing academic tradition
in the country.
Last months have been filled with hard work, but now the seminar
program is ready and obstacles have been cleared from the way.
The organising secreatariat is anxiously looking forward to meeting
you in a few weeks.
For me, the seminar will be the third ISHA event I'll be participating.
Having had the pleasure to enjoy both Zürich and Zagreb, it is
now our turn to be the organisers. I am happy to have got to know
quite many of you, and it is always a pleasure to meet new friends
and colleagues from different places. In Turku there will be a
great opportunity for that again, as at the moment we've got participants
from eleven different countries!
Turku offers some of the most beautiful scenes in Finland. River
Aura splits the town neatly in two, thus making it easy to go
around. Your accommodation, the ISHA hostel, is just next to the
river, which is quite picturesque especially by night. Weather
might be chilly already in October, but it probably won't bother
you too much; we have taken care to keep you busy and out of the
cold. And just in case, in Turku there are more pubs than in any
other town in Finland....
During the ISHA seminar week there will be other academic activities
in Turku as well. The international symposium History and Change
will gather researchers from around the globe, and their lectures
constitute a part of our program. In addition to that, the Finnish
association for history students will have its semiannual meeting
in Turku at the same time. They will be sharing the ISHA hostel
with us from Thursday to Sunday, giving you a chance to socialize
with your Finnish colleagues.
Leisure activities have always been important part of ISHA seminars.
We make no difference in that! You will be able to experience
many traditional Finnish activities, taste our national cuisine,
and have time to explore Turku by your own as well. Of course
we'll also have our share of various parties, including the gigantic
farewell party on Saturday evening - just to mention the biggest.
Once again financing has been the biggest challenge for seminar
organisers. Our big thanks go to the Finnish Ministry for Education
and the local university foundations (both of them) for making
the whole seminar possible. The most expensive arrangement turned
out to be the accommodation, but we are sure it's worth it: we
booked the whole Hostel for you! Most of you will sleep in four-bed
rooms and there is plenty of room to walk around and to spend
time with your ISHA friends.
Already for ten years ISHA has been a great forum to meet other
history students from different countries and to get to know the
host country of each ISHA-seminar. Last time we had great occasion
for that in Zagreb. As an association, though, ISHA hasn't been
that well in the past, but I'm sure our organisation is now going
towards better times. We hope that the two AB-meetings during
the seminar week, and the seminar itself, will be a part of that
healing process.
This is the last letter and package of information we'll be
sending to you before the seminar. Anyway, you will still find
more (and more up-to-date) information on our web site (org.utu.fi/yhd/isha).
And as always, if you've got something to ask, please do not hesitate
to contact us!
I wish you all pleasant journey to Finland, we are already waiting
for you!
On behalf of the organising secretariat,
Mikko Eskola
President
ISHA Turku
Before we start...
A WORD FROM THE COORDINATOR
Hello and welcome, dear participant! The history-changing CHANGING
HISTORY? ISHA seminar is at hand! Just a few things about
the academic part, before you start skimming through this travel
guide. Three things, actually. Please read and note the following!
YOUR PAPER
The papers have been pouring in for the last few weeks. Thank
you, everybody, for sticking to the deadlines (at least as well
as we have)! Now IF, by any chance, you still haven't provided
us with a copy of your workshop paper, BE SURE to send it to us
before the beginning of the seminar. The workshop leaders NEED
to study your paper in advance, so that they can do their job
properly.
The fastest way to deliver your paper is to send straight to
the academic coordinator's e-mail address (lahemi@utu.fi)
as an e-mail attachment (in PC format - no Macintosh files, please!
-, either as a Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format file). Should
you encounter any problems, please contact us as soon as possible!
YOUR WORKSHOP
We will have five of them. Due to uneven spread of the chosen
paper topics between the original six workshop themes, we had
to skip workshop number two, 'Against the change'. But fear not
- if you applied for Number Two, you will be thoroughly integrated
to another workshop, one whose contents match and complement your
own topic. All the papers so far seem to fit quite nicely to the
workshop themes and other papers. It seems we'll be having plenty
of interesting things to discuss in the workshops. Thank you,
again!
YOUR PRESENTATION
Now is the time to start thinking about your oral presentation
in the workshop. Each participant will have no longer than 15
minutes to present his or her paper, so think carefully what you
want to say. Do not just read your paper aloud. The others have
already read it, and besides it'd take longer than 15 minutes.
Instead concentrate on the main points that you want to make.
Now is your chance to elaborate them, to draw everybody's attention
to the heart of the matter, to spell out more clearly the thing
you want to say in your paper. Try to focus on how your paper,
your chosen topic, contributes to the overall workshop theme.
What is the relationship between your paper and the workshop theme?
How do you approach the theme in your paper? What conclusions
or insights concerning the theme would you draw from your paper?
What things would you like to present for further discussion?
One final note: We strongly encourage you to use whatever additional
material you find appropriate in your presentation. Extracts from
primary sources, handouts, transparencies etc. are more than welcome!
And now on to...
HOW TO GET THERE
Visa
A visa is NOT required of the citizens of following countries
arriving in Finland:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados,
Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa
Rica, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, EC Laissez Passer Holders, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hungary, Ireland = Eire, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan,
Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi,
Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, The Netherlands, New
Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, The Republic
of Korea, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain,
St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Swaziland, Switzerland, Trinidad
and Tobago, UN Laissez Passer Holders, United Kingdom, United
States, Uruguay, Vatican City State
If you need to receive a formal invitation in order to get a
visa, please inform us of it in the application form. Formal invitations
will be posted to arrive before July 31st 2000. If you are required
to have the invitation before, please contact us!
Passport
Passport is required of all arriving to Finland. The only exception
is the citizens of the following Nordic countries who are required
only to have with them some means to verify their identity:
Denmark
Iceland
Norway
Sweden
Travel Connections
Turku is easily reachable by most travel means. Most of foreign
participants are expected to arrive in Finland via Turku or Helsinki.
Of several alternatives we do recommend following connections:
Flights: via Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo or Copenhagen
to Turku Airport.
Train: through the Baltic Countries to Tallinn,
thereon by boat to Helsinki continuing by train to Turku OR by
train from Hamburg (Germany) to Stockholm and by boat there to
Turku.
Ferries: Turku and Stockholm have good connections
by boats of several shipping companies. Those arriving to Stockholm
either by train or by plane are encouraged to take a boat to Turku
because of the quite unique sea voyage experience in the Finnish
Archipelago.
Coach: There is a 24h coach service shuttling between
Turku and Helsinki. There is also a coach service straight from
Helsinki Airport to Turku.
Arriving in Turku
You probably have your own travel plans already thought out,
so we won't focus on those in this section. Instead we will give
advice on how to find your way to the event locations.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU INFORM US HOW AND WHEN YOU WILL
BE ARRIVING IN FINLAND, BE IT IN HELSINKI OR TURKU !! That
way we know how to find you and will be able to help you find
your way to the accommodation.
If you are arriving via Helsinki you'll have a choice between
a bus or train to Turku. Both depart regularly, almost every hour.
Remember that there is also a direct bus connection from Helsinki-Vantaa
airport to Turku! We will be waiting for you upon arrival and
will help you further.
The same applies for those who are arriving directly in Turku.
We'll have people standing by in the harbour (both Viking Line's
and Silja Line's terminals), at the train and bus stations and
at the market square where the bus from Turku airport arrives.
Our guides will lead the way to the accommodation facilities.
The next step after we have got you safely in Turku will be
the check-in and registration as seminar participants. This will
take place at the official ISHA Hostel. The participation fee
is to be paid at the check-in as well. Our people will be expecting
your arrival at the Hostel from the morning of Sunday 1.10. onwards
and we hope that all of you will have arrived by noon on Monday
2.10.
At the Hostel we'll appoint you to your respective quarters
and provide additional information about your visit and the seminar
program.
Once more, whatever your arrival plans are, REMEMBER TO KEEP
US INFORMED !
WELCOME TO TURKU!
Turku (Åbo in Swedish, Aboa in Latin) is a lively city on seven
hills, just like a certain other famous metropolis. The city,
the oldest in Finland, former capital and a commercial and intellectual
centre of the South-West, is located by the sea, beside a splendid
archipelago. The River Aura, flowing gently through the city and
by the ancient cathedral, gives Turku a truly cultivated atmosphere.
With its three universities it is an important centre of higher
education, possessing the longest standing academic tradition
in Finland. The first Finnish university, the Academy of Turku,
was founded here in 1640. Nowadays the Finnish-speaking University
of Turku, Swedish-speaking Åbo Akademi University, and Turku School
of Economics and Business Administration continue the tradition,
having long since established their reputation among Finland’s
top seats of academic education and research.
Without a doubt, the traces of Finland's early history are concentrated
in Turku. The first records of local habitation can be found in
the documents dated back in the 12th century. During the 700 years
when Finland was a part of the Swedish realm, Turku was the provincial
capital. It was only in 1812 that the status was transferred to
Helsinki, the present capital, for geopolitical reasons after
Finland had been annexed by Russia as an autonomous Grand Duchy.
Turku was destroyed badly in the great fire of 1827. Only a very
small part of the old town was left intact in the Luostarinmäki
(Convent Hill) area, which is today one of the most attractive
sights of the city, along with the Cathedral of Turku, celebrating
its 700th anniversary this year, and the Castle of Turku, dating
originally from the Middle Ages.
We hope you’ll enjoy your visit to the past and present of the
city!
FACTS FOR THE VISITOR
CLIMATE
Weather in Turku
October in Turku can be very beautiful. Trees are just about
to loose their leaves, which are filled with many colours. Unfortunately,
autumn in Finland can also be rainy, or a bit cold, or both, but
we are doing our best to ensure that during the seminar week sun
will be shining. The normal temperature during this season varies
approximately from 5 to 15 degrees celsius above zero.
Clothes to bring with you
One thing is for sure: you don't need to bring your shorts and
bikinis with you. One warm sweater and pants (occasionally skirt)
are the normal wear. Bring something warm with you, as especially
evenings and nights may get rather cold. A coat would be a very
good idea. Remember also to bring your umbrella or rain-coat,
just in case our long-term forecast fails. October can always
provide one with a surprise...
MONEY
Banks and Money Exchange
The local currency is the soon-to-become-extinct-in-favour-of-the-European-currency
Finnish Mark (FIM).
Some average rates (Sept 8th):
1 DEM= 3,04 FIM
1 EUR= 5,95 FIM
1 USD= 6,85 FIM
You can exchange your own currency to FIM in various places.
There is the Forex Currency Exchange at Eerikinkatu 12 (by the
Market Square), open from 8 am to 7 pm Mon-Fri. Local banks, where
you can exchange money as well, are open daily from 9 am to 4.30
pm, but be wary of long queues and waiting time. Traveller's cheques
are OK, but we don't advice you to use normal cheques because
they are nowadays so rare in Finland.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard etc.)
can be used in Finland.
ATMs
The bright orange 'Otto.' signs indicating an ATM machine are
ubiquitous. The closest Otto. ATM, from which you can withdraw
cash using all major cards, is usually no more than a hundred
metres away, at least as long as you stay in the city centre.
FOOD
Meals and provisions
We honestly don't believe that anyone should have to suffer
from starvation during the seminar week. Three meals are served
each day and in addition to that there are numerous restaurants,
fast food houses and grills scattered all over the University
area and the centre of Turku. Also, at the Hostel you will have
the self-service kitchen at your use if you're still feeling hungry.
Of course, due to certain budget limitations we cannot wine
and dine you at the fanciest restaurants in town, but fear not,
our knowledgeable and well-trained staff is prepared and able
to keep you fed for the week. It is our intent to also include
national and regional specialities in your diet even if foods
like mustamakkara may not exactly be for the weak of heart.
But it's good, actually.
Speaking of regional specialities, you should also take time
to visit Hesburger, a fast-food chain that started in Turku
and has since expanded to the rest of Finland and abroad. "Hese"
is the pride and joy of all Turku and their food isn't too bad
either, e.g. the recipe of their famous mayonnaise is still one
of the best kept secrets in Finland, or so they say. Check it
out.
REGULATIONS
Alcohol
Due to heavy taxation alcohol is quite expensive in Finland.
Beer and cider that have an alcoholic content of up to 4,7% vol.
are sold in all stores and many kiosks. Wine and spirits are sold
in the state owned Alko facilities. The minimum age required to
buy mild alcoholic drinks is 18 and 20 to buy strong spirits.
When purchasing alcoholic beverages be prepared to present formal
identification to verify your age at the request of the sales
personnel.
Customs regulations may change after this is written so it's
best to check the total amounts of permitted duty-free importation
of alcohol as you are en route to Finland and aboard your transport.
No more than 1 litre of strong spirits may be imported.
Notice: Drinks with alcoholic content in excess of 80% vol.
are not considered suitable for importing by the Customs so you
may want to leave your Spiritus Fortis at home.
Drinking in public is not allowed, as causing disturbance to
the good citizens of Turku by boozing in the open is a violation
of the municipal code. So keep your bottles out of sight and unopened
when walking the streets. Failure to do so may result in the loss
of your drink and a nasty fine.
Tobacco
Cigarettes are not cheap in Finland either, the cost of one
packet is between 20 and 23 FIM.
Finland also has one of the strictest tobacco legislations in
Europe; smoking is prohibited in all public buildings, offices,
banks, transports and such. Generally speaking smoking is not
allowed indoors except in private residences. In restaurants and
pubs certain areas including the bar are non-smoking zones. Please
observe these rules during your stay!
A total amount of 200 cigarettes may be imported to the country
duty-free, so that's one area where you can save a little money.
Smokeless tobacco products (chewing tobacco and snuff) are not
sold in Finland but you may bring some for your personal use.
Again, it's best to check the Customs regulations before your
arrival.
Narcotic drugs
Definitely a big no-no! Possession of narcotic substances is
illegal in Finland! This goes for the so called "mild drugs" as
well. If you are caught having drugs on your person you are in
trouble. No excuses. Remember to have a valid prescription with
you if you are under strong medication so as to avoid any confusion
upon arrival.
ACCOMMODATION
The ISHA Hostel and living in it
Turku Youth Hostel (now designated as the official ISHA residence
for the seminar week) offers nice and clean rooms sized 4-6 persons.
Sheets are included, so you do not have to bring your own sheets
or sleeping bags with you!
There are two toilets and two showers separate for men and women
so prepare for a little queuing in the mornings. The hostel provides
kitchen for own cooking and some comfortable sofas in front of
a TV set. There is also a telephone which you may use to call
home; the telephone requires a phone card which you may buy from
the hostel (and many other places besides, see Phone and Internet
Connections). Help with dirty clothes is also available in the
hostel: washing machine takes care of your laundry for FIM 5 /
hour. The whole hostel is reserved for ISHA use only, and the
staff will be happy to assist if you need any help.
Nearest grocery store is about 200 metres from the hostel, on
the other side of the river Aura - just cross the bridge Martinsilta
and you'll find K-Martinmylly in the corner of Puistokatu and
Martinkatu. Just beside the bridge Martin-silta is a fast food
stand, Martin grilli. Hesburger, the real speciality of
Turku, is of course very near the hostel in Puistokatu (in Turku
you'll find Hesburger joints much more often than McDonald's -
the food is also much better!).
A walk from the hostel to the university takes 20-30 minutes.
Walking is the best way to get to know the beautiful river Aura
but bus is no bad option either. For the ones who prefer taking
a bus, the timetables may be found in the hostel; bus ticket costs
10 Finnish marks and is valid for one hour, including the changing
of the buses. If traveling by bus several times per day it's worth
while bying a one day's ticket, FIM 20 . Taxi from the hostel
to the university would take FIM 50-60.
PLACES TO...
Places to find food
Even though most shops close at 5 pm, supermarkets are generally
open until 9 pm. You can find almost anything you can imagine
from a Finnish supermarket. If you've forgot something, they're
the place to go and buy it - just be sure to take your time, as
these uglies are rather big! Kiosks provide first aid for everything,
especially R-Kioski which is the biggest kiosk chain in
Finland. They sell food, snacks, telephone cards stamps, condoms,
toileries AND are open until 9 or 10 pm.
Market square: you can find there Finnish specialities
as well as everyday foodstuffs, such as fish, vegetables, berries
and mushrooms.
Market hall: The price level may be a bit higher
than in the market square or other grocery stores, but the market
hall is sure worth seeing. It is one of the oldest buildings in
the centre of Turku and while you are looking around you can buy
many interesting things among the tiny booths.
Places to go shopping
Places where you can find Finnish products as well as souvenirs
are Aarikka, Pentik, Kermansavi and Marimekko. Round the market
square are the best of the shopping places in Turku, including
the three big shopping centers Hansa, Wiklund and Forum. The Hansa
center is the biggest and it's the best place to find shops for
anyone with all sizes. The best quality is generally offered by
the department store Stockmann, whose inseparable Academic Bookshop
is also the best in town. Check it out for English books (and
Finnish ones of course). The Forum contains shoe, clothes, and
CD shops and - last but not least - Cosmic Comic Café, definitely
the place for cartoon lovers.
COMMUNICATIONS
Phone and Internet connections
Even though Finland is the promised land of cellular phones,
there are still public phones around. Public phones function with
phone cards, which may be purchased at kiosks such as the R-Kioski
and the hostel. The range varies from a card of 10 FIM to 100
FIM.
Public Internet connections are rather few (too many Finns have
their own private connection!). Most of the computers at the University
are only for personnel and students, and thus require a password.
There are, however, some public computers with Internet access
around the University, mostly located at the libraries. Ask the
ISHA staff for more information if you need to use one.
Language
Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. Most
people, especially younger, speak decent English and some also
German and French.
We would like to give you some tips to how to pronounce Finnish.
Unfortunately, the task would defeat even more talented editors.
However, to give you some samples to try for yourself, here's
a few essential words and phrases (some of them you might actually
need):
street - katu
bridge - silta
river - joki
university - yliopisto
beer - olut
wine - viini
toilet - WC, vessa
hangover - krapula
Thank you. - Kiitos.
I'm sorry. - Anteeksi.
A big beer, please! - Iso olut, kiitos!
Take me to the ISHA hostel, please! - Hostel Turkuun, kiitos!
Will you marry me? - Menetkö naimisiin kanssani?
My spoon is not working! - Lusikkani ei toimi!
How old is this stone? - Kuinka vanha tämä kivi on?
Is this second-hand bacon? - Onko tämä pekoni käytettyä?
Much obliged, but do I have to be switched in Florence?
- Valtavasti kiitoksia, mutta täytyykö minut vaihtaa Firenzessä?
Huh? - Täh?
HEALTH
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take a travel insurance. ISHA
Turku cannot answer for medical or other costs.
Medical help and Pharmacies
In case of emergency, medical help is available 24 hours a day.
We advice you to take your own medication and prescriptions with
you. Local Pharmacies (or at least some of them) are open 8 -
23 every day.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND
1. to notify us about your arrival: when, by what means,
and from where, you will be arriving in Finland, and in Turku
2. to provide us with a copy of your workshop paper in advance,
in case you haven't done so yet
3. to make sure that your visa (should you need one) is in order
4. to let us know if, for some reason, you have to cancel your
coming
5. that the seminar programme extends to Saturday evening; reserve
your return tickets for Sunday, 8th September
6. to revive the honored ISHA tradition and bring a sample of
your national drinks with you!
7. to take the possibility of chilly weather into account when
choosing your clothing.
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