1 December marks 107 years from the opening of the Estonian-language University of Tartu. Traditional anniversary events will be held on that occasion.
On 1 December at 12:00, the anniversary ceremony takes place in the assembly hall. The university’s doctorates and honorary doctorates are conferred and the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award will be presented.
At 17:00 will be the traditional torchlight procession and anniversary ball takes place in Vanemuine Concert Hall at 19:00.
University of Tartu honorary decorations in 2026
On 30 October, the University of Tartu senate decided to award the Johan Skytte medal to President Alar Karis. The highest award for university members, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, is given to Ruth Oltjer, Liina Lindström and Maris Laan. Also, the recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have been selected. In total, the university grants honorary decorations to 105 people.
On 27 November at 16 the University of Tartu honorary decorations will be presented in the university’s assembly hall.
Recipients of University of Tartu honorary decorations in 2026
Anniversary ball of Estonia's national university 107
The ball, which will take place on 1 December at the Vanemuine Concert Hall, will bring together the students, alumni and staff of the University of Tartu. The headline performer of the ball is the band SADU, and the theme of the evening is "Patterns".
The doors will open at 18:00 and the official programme will start at 19:15. Guests are asked to follow the theme of the party "Patterns" when dressing, and everyone is welcome to wear folk costumes. Tickets on sale at Fienta!
Join anniversary ball Facebook eventTickets to the ball
Honorary doctors
At the senate session on 29 May 2026, the University of Tartu senate appointed four new honorary doctors.
- Senior University Lecturer Mikko Ketola from the University of Helsinki for his effective advancement of church history research, contribution to the development and internationalisation of Estonian church history, and long-standing support for the Estonian–Finnish research cooperation;
Professor Mihkel Mats Tombak from the University of Toronto for his remarkable contribution to shaping a generation of Estonian and University of Tartu economists and to the development of economics;
Professor emeritus Seppo Kalevi Meri from the University of Helsinki for his outstanding work in advancing the field of immunology and for fostering international cooperation and the next generation of researchers at the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine;
Professor Flyura Djurabekova from the University of Helsinki for her outstanding achievements in the study of vacuum arcs and for involving the University of Tartu in the international environment of the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Event will be updated.
