Different events are organized throughout the year. Some are old, annual events that are organized every year, but most of them are tailored to our current students’ interests and are organized only if there are enough people to join. All exchange students are welcome to join in on the fun and meet the other members of NEFA-Jyväskylä. The board usually informs the members of our association about the events in our Facebook-group, Instagram and through nefa-jkl(a)lists.jyu.fi -mailing list.
In the olden days, people used to scare off wolves from the city by making loud noises and yelling to Saint George to keep his dogs tied up. The traditional festival is held on Jyrki’s (George’s) nameday on the 23rd of April. The tradition has come from Eastern Europe and has been especially strong in the traditions of Carelia and Eastern Finland. To continue the tradition, Nefa along with anyone else who wants to join, brings pots, pans, instruments and anything else to make noise with. Starting with a simple meal of bread, jams, cheeses and so forth, the idea has been to travel in one group around the city center yelling and making noise begging Saint George to tie up his dogs. Please!
is meant for all KUMU students and serves as an informal get-together for us all after the summer holidays. But, above all it is a chance to meet the freshmen in a relaxed environment! Introductory rounds are kept, drinking games are played and usually the night ends with Karaoke.
Slightly past Kortepohja there is a small cottage by a lake. An annual tradition allows students to go swimming one last time before winter. Refreshments are served indoors and a campfire and some music entertains students outdoors. As part of the tradition, everyone gathers into a circle and introduces themselves and tells something fun or embarrassing about themselves.
”Fuksi” is the name for a freshman in Finnish, and Fuksiaiset serves as a rite of passage for many freshmen. New students get to know each other and some of Nefa's traditions. Freshmen form groups which are led by older students, and complete silly and strange tasks in different checkpoints around the Seminaarinmäki campus area.
Though originally celebrated on the 30th of October, Halloween is traditionally celebrated in Finland on Pyhäinpäivä (early November). Although a recently new event for Nefa-Jkl, this event is as eagerly awaited for as any other! Candies, cakes and other goodies have been offered and the event has sometimes included carving oranges into pumpkins as well as many other fun games including also a costume contest.
The Pre-Christmas Party is organized by freshmen. Nefa’s Little-Christmas traditions include some fun costume theme as well as a warm, welcoming and joyous atmosphere and seasonal food. In the past years, the party has taken place right after Nefa's annual meeting.