Professor Sami Pihlström's Inauguration

Inauguration ceremonies of new Professors at the University of Helsinki took place on Wednesday the 27th of May. Among them was Sami Pihlström, who is the leader of our CoE's Team 3, and now also a Professor in Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Theology. Pihlström's inaugural lecture dealt with the issue of how critical discussion of religion is possible.

The inaugural lecture was given in the University Main Building's Auditorium XIV, which was packed full of audience.

After the lectures, there was a procession to the Great Hall, where Chancellor Thomas Wilhelmsson delivered his inaugural lecture. The programme included also musical numbers by Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat, a lecture by Professor Barry Gills, and the handing out of the letters of appointment to the new professors.

The ceremony was followed by a Reception in the foyer of the Great Hall and in the Teachers' Lounge.

Family and friends

Pihlström's six-year term as the Director of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies comes to an end in July. After the festivities in the Main Building, Pihlström had invited his former, current, and future colleagues to an informal follow-up reception, or his HCAS farewell party. This event took place in the common room of the Helsinki Collegium.

Pihlström with his predecessor Simo Knuuttila

Knuuttila and Ilkka Niiniluoto at the Collegium

Anthony Lappin's Visit

On Tuesday the 26th of May, our Centre of Excellence held this spring term's last monthly meeting. The event was organized as a research seminar under the title 'Recognition in and of the Qur'an'. The first talk was given by Professor Anthony Lappin whose research has focused on medieval religious history and literature with a particular interest in hagiography, monasticism and especially Christian - Muslim relations.

After Professor Lappin, Jari Kaukua who is a member of our CoE's team 2, and works at the University of Jyväskylä, also gave a talk.

Jari Kaukua

The event was chaired by Ritva Palmén.

Hanne Appelqvist & Panu-Matti Pöykkö were in the audience...

... as were Ulla Tervahauta and Raimo Hakola

Discussion after the event, Tim Riggs and Janne Mattila facing the camera.

Risto Saarinen with Lappin