Timetable
Time zone: Europe/Helsinki
Join us for an unforgettable visit to Poro-Panuma Reindeer Farm, located in the picturesque village of Panuma, just under an hour’s drive from Oulu. This excursion offers a rare chance to experience the traditions of reindeer husbandry and the natural beauty of northern Finland. The trip is accompanied by University of Oulu researcher Mirella Karppinen. Buses will pick participants up from selected hotels in Oulu city centre.
Your adventure begins with meeting and feeding the reindeer in their natural environment, followed by a traditional rikiajallu sleigh ride through the snowy landscape. Afterwards, enjoy homemade pastries, hot drinks, and refreshing wild-berry juice prepared by the herder family. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available upon request. Roughly half of the visit takes place outdoors (about 1 hour) and the other half indoors (about 1 hour).
After meeting a number of the family’s very social reindeer, you’ll hear engaging stories directly from the herder family, accompanied by a slideshow illustrating the reindeer’s year-round life. Learn about reindeer care, seasonal migrations, and the cultural significance of these remarkable animals. Much more than a farm visit, this is an intimate window into a way of life that has thrived for generations. Handicrafts made by the family will also be available for purchase.
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum 60 participants; 2 groups of up to 30 per tour)
Cost: 85€ per person
When: Monday, 2 March — two scheduled tours
• First tour bus departs Oulu city centre at 9:00
• Second tour bus departs at 11:00
Duration: 4 hours per tour (approx. 2 hours at the farm + 1 hour transport each way)
Where: Poro-Panuma Reindeer Farm, Panuma village, Pudasjärvi (poropanuma.com — Laasenraitti 40, 93140 Kipinä)
What to bring: Warm winter clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for snowy conditions.
Join us for a unique Nordic experience—ice fishing on the Baltic Sea! This four-hour ice-fishing event on the Bothnian Bay, near the iconic Nallikari area, offers participants an opportunity to connect with the local environment, traditions, and community spirit beyond the conference halls. This activity is a hands-on introduction to Finland’s winter lifestyle and the aquatic ecosystems of the northern Baltic Sea. In addition to gaining personal ice-fishing experience and the chance to win memorable prizes, participants will learn about local fish species, safe ice practices, and traditional fishing methods under the guidance of experienced local anglers and scientists. While enjoying the serene beauty of the frozen landscape, you will gain insights into how fishing traditions reflect the close relationship between people and nature in northern Finland.
All necessary equipment will be provided, and no prior experience is required. Warm drinks and light local lunch will be available to keep you comfortable on the ice. Please bring warm, windproof clothing and safe, comfortable footwear.
Come discover how science, culture, and nature come together in one of Oulu’s most memorable winter settings!
Who can join: recommendation of 12 years old and up (maximum 30 participants)
Cost: see sign-up form
When: Monday March 2nd, 9:00-13:00
Duration: 4 hours
Where: Nallikari beach, https://visitoulu.fi/en/product/nallikari-pohjolan-riviera/
What to bring: Very warm and wind-proof clothes: gloves, hat scarf, winter boots, jacket, snow trousers, leggings.
This excursion offers a rare opportunity for a small group of conference participants to visit one of Oulu’s most intriguing architectural landmarks: a concrete silo designed by the renowned Finnish architects Alvar and Aino Aalto, located in the Meri-Toppila district. The trip will be accompanied by University of Oulu heritage scholar Marjo Juola. We will meet at the central Rotuaari square at 9:00 in the city centre and travel to the site by private bus. After the visit, the bus will continue onto the University of Oulu, where participants may enjoy a self-paid lunch.
On our visit we will be guided by Valentino Tignanelli, the AaltoSiilo project, who will tell us about the history and the future plans of the silo. This silo is the Aalto’s first industrial site, one of the remaining buildings of the Toppila cellulose factory, commissioned in 1929 and completed in 1931 for the production and storage of cellulose. After closure in 1985 the silo has been a site of some local controversy. The combined effect of designating the silo as a heritage building and the insufficient resources and resourcefulness for finding meaningful use for the building has put it in a liminal state as a derelict building with special status for an extended period of time. In 2020 the silo was purchased from the City of Oulu by Spain-based Factum Foundation, which has new plans for revitalizing the silo as a future landmark of Oulu and as an active cultural center together with local community participation. The silo has already served as venue for a number of interesting cultural events in Oulu.
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum number of participants is 20).
Cost: See sign-up form.
When: Monday March 2nd, 9-13:00, Bus leaves Oulu city center at 9:00
Duration: 4 hour tour
Where: Alvar Aalto Siilo, https://aaltosiilo.com/en/What_is_AALTOSIILO
What to bring: Warm outdoor clothing suitable for winter conditions and comfortable shoes.
Join us for an unforgettable visit to Poro-Panuma Reindeer Farm, located in the picturesque village of Panuma, just under an hour’s drive from Oulu. This excursion offers a rare chance to experience the traditions of reindeer husbandry and the natural beauty of northern Finland. The trip is accompanied by University of Oulu researcher Mirella Karppinen. Buses will pick participants up from selected hotels in Oulu city centre.
Your adventure begins with meeting and feeding the reindeer in their natural environment, followed by a traditional rikiajallu sleigh ride through the snowy landscape. Afterwards, enjoy homemade pastries, hot drinks, and refreshing wild-berry juice prepared by the herder family. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available upon request. Roughly half of the visit takes place outdoors (about 1 hour) and the other half indoors (about 1 hour).
After meeting a number of the family’s very social reindeer, you’ll hear engaging stories directly from the herder family, accompanied by a slideshow illustrating the reindeer’s year-round life. Learn about reindeer care, seasonal migrations, and the cultural significance of these remarkable animals. Much more than a farm visit, this is an intimate window into a way of life that has thrived for generations. Handicrafts made by the family will also be available for purchase.
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum 60 participants; 2 groups of up to 30 per tour)
Cost: 85€ per person
When: Monday, 2 March — two scheduled tours
• First tour bus departs Oulu city centre at 9:00
• Second tour bus departs at 11:00
Duration: 4 hours per tour (approx. 2 hours at the farm + 1 hour transport each way)
Where: Poro-Panuma Reindeer Farm, Panuma village, Pudasjärvi (poropanuma.com — Laasenraitti 40, 93140 Kipinä)
What to bring: Warm winter clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for snowy conditions.
Come get to know your colleagues better while experiencing Finland’s most renowned pastime: a waterside, wood-fired sauna. Koivuranta Sauna is a traditional Finnish lakeside sauna located on the Oulujoki River, just a short distance from Oulu’s city centre. It combines a cosy wood-heated sauna with a floating, pontoon-style structure that allows visitors to enjoy both steaming and swimming year-round. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike—both for its authentic Finnish sauna experience and its unique setting directly on the water. S this is a public sauna suitable for collegial conference-goers, bathing suits are mandatory.
We have reserved the entire sauna for two evenings during the conference, exclusively for ECSA guests. After the sauna, guests can cool off with a refreshing dip through a hole cut right in the ice (“avanto” in Finnish). Drinks and snacks, such as waffles, are available for purchase. Vegan and vegetarian options available!
Disclaimer: Sauna sessions prices are increased due to the private booking for ECSA2026 participants only. Individual bookings are also possible on other days and times.
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum 20 participants per 1.5-hour session)
Cost: 30 € per person
When:
• Tuesday, 3 March, 19:00 – 00:00
• Wednesday, 4 March, 16:00 – 00:00
Duration: 1.5 hour sauna turn
Where: Koivurannan sauna boat, https://koivurannansaunalautta.fi/
What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and a payment method for snacks and drinks (should hunger or thirst beckon)
Recharge your energy, breathe in the crisp Arctic air, and start your day inspired by the harmony of science and nature. Join us for a unique Arctic wellness experience with Snow Yoga: Sun Salutation in the Snow, taking place just in the middle of a busy schedule of the conference. As the northern sun begins to return after the long winter, we’ll greet the morning with mindful movements and deep breaths surrounded by the beauty of Finnish nature. It’s an invigorating yet grounding way to connect body, mind, and environment - a perfect balance to days filled with scientific sessions and discussions.
*If the weather conditions do not allow to do the activity outside, the activity may be moved indoors.
Who can join: All conference participants – no prior yoga experience needed (space ulimited)
Cost: free
When: Tuesday March 3rd, Wednesday March 4th, and Thursday March 5th, 8:15-8:35
Duration: 20 minutes
Where: Botanical Garden of University of Oulu, just steps from the conference venue, https://www.oulu.fi/en/university/botanical-garden/visit-garden
What to bring: Warm layered clothing, gloves, and a smile
Join us for an inspiring afternoon in the snow-covered boreal forest! This guided nature walk, led by University of Oulu biologist Clément Massé, offers a unique chance to experience the wonders of winter ecology while contributing to citizen science. A bus will pick up participants from the University of Oulu on 4 March at 13:00 and return to the university afterward.
Our two-hour walk will take us through the scenic Sanginjoki Nature Reserve, a protected forest rich with wildlife and crossed by winding rivers. Along the way, we will learn to identify animal tracks in the snow, observe wintering birds, and explore the remarkable adaptations that help plants, animals, and fungi survive the frozen season. All observations will be recorded in iNaturalist as part of the Winter Bioblitz, contributing to a valuable snapshot of winter biodiversity.
After the walk, we will gather around a warm fire for light snacks and time to explore the area freely. Binoculars, magnifying lenses, and identification guides will be provided—simply dress warmly and bring a smartphone for recording your findings. No prior experience is required.
The route is approximately 5 km on an easy, accessible trail. Places are limited to 30 participants, so be sure to register early!
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum number of participants is 30).
Cost: See sign-up form.
When: Wednesday March 4th, 13:00–17:00 (departure from the University)
Where: Sanginjoki Nature Reserve (30 min drive)
Duration: 2 hour walk plus transport time by bus
Where: Sanginjoki Nature area
What to bring: Warm outdoor clothing suitable for winter conditions and comfortable shoes.
Come get to know your colleagues better while experiencing Finland’s most renowned pastime: a waterside, wood-fired sauna. Koivuranta Sauna is a traditional Finnish lakeside sauna located on the Oulujoki River, just a short distance from Oulu’s city centre. It combines a cosy wood-heated sauna with a floating, pontoon-style structure that allows visitors to enjoy both steaming and swimming year-round. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike—both for its authentic Finnish sauna experience and its unique setting directly on the water. S this is a public sauna suitable for collegial conference-goers, bathing suits are mandatory.
We have reserved the entire sauna for two evenings during the conference, exclusively for ECSA guests. After the sauna, guests can cool off with a refreshing dip through a hole cut right in the ice (“avanto” in Finnish). Drinks and snacks, such as waffles, are available for purchase. Vegan and vegetarian options available!
Disclaimer: Sauna sessions prices are increased due to the private booking for ECSA2026 participants only. Individual bookings are also possible on other days and times.
Who can join: All ages welcome (maximum 20 participants per 1.5-hour session)
Cost: 30 € per person
When:
• Tuesday, 3 March, 19:00 – 00:00
• Wednesday, 4 March, 16:00 – 00:00
Duration: 1.5 hour sauna turn
Where: Koivurannan sauna boat, https://koivurannansaunalautta.fi/
What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and a payment method for snacks and drinks (should hunger or thirst beckon)
Recharge your energy, breathe in the crisp Arctic air, and start your day inspired by the harmony of science and nature. Join us for a unique Arctic wellness experience with Snow Yoga: Sun Salutation in the Snow, taking place just in the middle of a busy schedule of the conference. As the northern sun begins to return after the long winter, we’ll greet the morning with mindful movements and deep breaths surrounded by the beauty of Finnish nature. It’s an invigorating yet grounding way to connect body, mind, and environment - a perfect balance to days filled with scientific sessions and discussions.
*If the weather conditions do not allow to do the activity outside, the activity may be moved indoors.
Who can join: All conference participants – no prior yoga experience needed (space ulimited)
Cost: free
When: Tuesday March 3rd, Wednesday March 4th, and Thursday March 5th, 8:15-8:35
Duration: 20 minutes
Where: Botanical Garden of University of Oulu, just steps from the conference venue, https://www.oulu.fi/en/university/botanical-garden/visit-garden
What to bring: Warm layered clothing, gloves, and a smile
Recharge your energy, breathe in the crisp Arctic air, and start your day inspired by the harmony of science and nature. Join us for a unique Arctic wellness experience with Snow Yoga: Sun Salutation in the Snow, taking place just in the middle of a busy schedule of the conference. As the northern sun begins to return after the long winter, we’ll greet the morning with mindful movements and deep breaths surrounded by the beauty of Finnish nature. It’s an invigorating yet grounding way to connect body, mind, and environment - a perfect balance to days filled with scientific sessions and discussions.
*If the weather conditions do not allow to do the activity outside, the activity may be moved indoors.
Who can join: All conference participants – no prior yoga experience needed (space ulimited)
Cost: free
When: Tuesday March 3rd, Wednesday March 4th, and Thursday March 5th, 8:15-8:35
Duration: 20 minutes
Where: Botanical Garden of University of Oulu, just steps from the conference venue, https://www.oulu.fi/en/university/botanical-garden/visit-garden
What to bring: Warm layered clothing, gloves, and a smile