DEAR STUDENTS! ESTEEMED MAY DAY CELEBRANTS OF TURKU!
We have gathered to celebrate students and education around a tradition that is nearly a hundred years old!
May Day is a celebration of students and joy! Traditions like this always prove to be the most important, especially in more difficult times. In times when there is something to worry about almost every day. In times when young people’s faith in the future is at a worrying level. And no wonder.
Students are living in an era where the future feels uncertain and rapidly changing. A time when students are concerned about their summer income, internship opportunities and the overall employment situation. At the same time, broader issues such as equality, climate change and international tensions also raise concern.
DEAR CELEBRANTS!
In times like these, I feel that the importance of celebrating May Day is even more pronounced. May Day makes us pause and reflect on the things we are proud of as students. It gives us reasons to hope and reminds us that we must hold on to the fundamentals. That is why this year, this celebration feels especially meaningful.
During this spring, there has been discussion about the fundamentals of education. Things that should be self-evident in our country. We have discussed the necessity of free degrees and repeatedly emphasized that the quality of education must not be compromised. Do we really need to have these discussions in Finland in 2026?
Finland’s success has always been built on education and the will to make tomorrow better. When access to education is weakened, belief in and the will for a better future fade as well.
DEAR LISTENERS!
Expertise does not emerge by chance, nor is it built on personal wealth. The level of education in our country is declining and there are no quick fixes. Simply increasing student intake is not enough. This is not only about quantity, but about the quality of degrees.
Raising the level of education will not be achieved merely by increasing study places, nor are paid education alternatives a sustainable solution for Finland’s future. Even if targets for higher education levels are reached, low-quality education will not produce the desired results. A degree certificate alone is not enough. There must be motivation and a genuine desire to learn along the way. Motivated learning is secured through high-quality education. That is something we cannot afford to compromise.
Education is the cornerstone of Finnish democracy. It should be self-evident that education is an equal opportunity for everyone in this country, regardless of socioeconomic background. Any potential cuts to education must be firmly opposed.
DEAR STUDENTS!
Finland’s success has never been based on chance. It has been built on education. Education has been valued and investments have been made in it for decades. However, the current direction is worrying. Why would we want to undermine the very foundation of our country? Do we truly not want to continue the work of generations in building this nation through knowledge, innovation and belief in a better future?
Education has lifted this country from difficult times toward stability before. It has been the foundation on which we have built a democratic, prosperous and trust-based society. Is this foundation no longer self-evident?
When opportunities for education are weakened, it is not just about individual decisions or budget cuts. It is about something much larger. It is about the kind of future we are building. When the value of education is eroded, so too is belief in a better tomorrow. That is why defending education is not a choice. It is a necessity.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES!
Today, take full joy in what student life is all about.
Education and studying are not separate from the rest of life. They are not merely a transitional phase whose costs must be paid back later. During studies, one lives a full life, just as in any other stage of life and education should not depend on an individual’s financial situation.
Student life is not just about completing a degree or blindly collecting credits. It is about living, growing, failing, and succeeding. It is about finding friends and shaping your direction in life. For many, student life is one of the most meaningful phases of life and it should not be seen merely as a cost to be repaid later.
Studying should not be built on excessive debt, nor should it be reduced to mere performance. Students must be given space to live, grow, experiment, and make mistakes. These are essential parts of being human.
DEAR MAY DAY CELEBRANTS!
This day is ours. Enjoy it to the fullest. Laugh, celebrate and be proud of what you have achieved and where you are now!
Students have always been at the forefront of change. The world has always been open to us. We have dared to question, to hope and to build society toward a better and more equal future.
Still, I would be lying if I said I were not concerned about today’s culture of discussion. Increasing polarization is a real problem in our society.
I encourage each of you today to reflect on your own way of engaging in conversations. May Day is a great opportunity to meet new people and genuinely listen to others’ experiences. Listen to your fellow celebrants today, don’t just focus on sharing your own experiences. Let us break down growing polarization together and as students set an example of how to meet others with respect despite disagreements.
This country will not improve through the actions of one person. We need each other. We need cooperation and trust. And trust is something we must rebuild together.
DEAR STUDENTS!
Also us have the power and responsibility to make a difference. We cannot ignore the opportunities we have to influence. We must actively take actions that secure an equal Finland. A country where free, high-quality education is an equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of background.
Today, as we stand here together, we can decide to hold on to what matters most. To defend education. To strengthen trust and build a future together. One that everyone can believe in.
DEAR MAY DAY CELEBRANTS! IT IS TIME TO CELEBRATE!
Let us hold on to hope, equal opportunities and joy.
GRADUATES! CAPS ON!