Freezing Week 2025
17–20 FEBRUARY 2025
BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Welcome!
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), the School of Business, Design and Technology, is pleased to invite international partners and colleagues to celebrate the Freezing Week on 17-20 February 2025, Hämeenlinna, Finland.
The event discusses diverse aspects of safety and security and how we can together build safer communities. What has wellbeing to do with safety? What kind of a role does technology have in making us feel safe? Why should we be interested in cyber security? How can we together build community resilience and safety?
The price of the programme and social events for the participants is 250 €. After the enrolment, the participants will get an entry fee bill by e-mail. The entry fee is not returned to the participants if they cannot participate.
The enrolment has now ended.
We are looking forward to meeting you at HAMK in February 2025!
Freezing Week in a nutshell
- WHAT? International week for HAMK’s partner higher education institutions
- WHEN? 17-20 February 2025, Hämeenlinna, Finland.
- WHERE? Hämeenlinna University Center and Riihimäki campus, Finland.
- WHAT DOES IT COST? The total cost of the 3-day programme is 250 €, including the evening programmes
Monday 17 Feb
19:00–22:00 Get together
Juliuksen olohuone, Hämeenlinna
Tuesday 18 Feb
08:00 Staff Registration and morning coffee
09:00 Welcome address
Lassi Martikainen, Dean, School of Business, Design and Technology, HAMK
09:15 Keynote on safety and security by Ministry of the Interior
Leena Seitovirta, Senior Specialist, Administration and Development Department
10:15 Safety First! Reimagining the Safety Framework of Our University Community
Reima Kallinen, Safety Officer, Human Resources Services, HAMK
Feeling Good, Feeling Safe – The Connection Between Community Resilience and Wellbeing
Kirsi Hipp, Principal Research Scientist, School of Health and Social Services, HAMK
11:30 Lunch
12:30–16:30 Workshops: Essentials for maintaining personal wellbeing and resilience
- Explore diverse life stories: Visit Living Library
- Learn a new skill: Bake & enjoy Finnish traditional Karelian pies and cinnamon rolls
- Be creative: Design and making your own glass jewel
- Exercise: Sports to support personal resilience
Wednesday 19 Feb
08:00 Transportation to HAMK campus in Riihimäki
08:45 Welcome to HAMK’s Campus at Riihimäki
Sonja Heikkinen, Head of Degree Programme in Traffick and Transport Management
09:00 Cyber Security Landscape and Future Threats
Anssi Kärkkäinen, Director-General, National Cyber Security Centre Finland
09:30 Disinformation and Social Media Business Models Jukka Niva, Head of News Lab, Yle
10:00 Changing AI Security Paradigm
Prof. Dr. Matthias Mehrtens, Hochschule Niederrhein
10:45 Interview with the keynote speakers
11:30 Hack the Code Session
Ismo Turve, Senior Lecturer, Information and Communication Technology
11:45 Lunch
12:30 Finnish Defence Forces – Building Security
Riku Rantakari, Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of Operations, Armoured Brigade, Finnish Defence Forces
13:00 Safety and Security in Riihimäki
Kristian Keinänen, Head of Development, City of Riihimäki
13:30 Workshop: How to increase community resilience in collaboration between higher education institutions and cities?
15:00 Transportation to Hämeenlinna with a pitstop at Flow Cosmetics, Iittala and Pentik shops
Evening
18:30–22:30 Underground Party – Get ready to dance with a live band!
Entrance only if you can hack the code and wear black! The party includes a buffet dinner and drinks and the best company.
Thursday 20 Feb
9:00 Panel: Building Safer Communities Together
Interactive session to discuss the highlights of the week. The panel brings up views from students, teachers and researchers on building safer higher education community for all.
10:45 Closing Address
Kati Heikkinen, Head of International Services, HAMK
11:00 Lunch
11:45 Transportation to Ahvenisto Outdoor and Nature Reserve
12:00 Winter experience:
- Snow sculpture competition (in small teams)
- Enjoy Finnish sauna and a dip into an ice-cold lake
Accommodation and Practicalities
Do you need a place to stay during Freezing Week? Below you will find some accommodation options in Hämeenlinna. Also we have gathered some essential information prior your arrival in Hämeenlinna, Finland.
All participants to Freezing Week book their own accommodation directly from the hotel/hostel/Airbnb. We have negotiated some hotel discounts that you can take advantage of.
All the hotels are in the town center. The railway station is just two kilometres away, easily reached either by foot, taxi or bus. The walk from the bus station takes only about five minutes. The distance to the Hämeenlinna University Centre is three kilometres.
Check more options on the website. Hotel is in the city center.
The Freezing Week participants can get the additional discount by paying their bookings with the discount code. The bookings need to be made according to the booking situation at least 10 days prior to the arrival to Finland. The Scandic Friends members can also check out the loyal customer discounts.
Discount code: CCON
Hotel Emilia is a cosy, small hotel in the centre of Hämeenlinna, along the promenade Reska. Renovated in spring 2023, it is an atmospheric, family-run hotel.
Standard single room 105€/night
Standard double room 114€/night
Breakfast, wireless internet connection, sauna availability, 10% discount to the restaurant Piparkakkutalo.
Bookings to the hotel telephone number +35836122106 or email [email protected].
The bookings need to be done on Jan 16 at the latest.
Discount code: FreezingWeek2025
Matin ja Maijan majatalo is a hospitable bed and breakfast, where the clients will be accommodated in a century-old Villa with luxurious rooms right in the centre of Hämeenlinna city. It is located in Eteläkatu in the town center.
Small double room’s price is 130€/night.
Big double room’s price is 165€/night.
The bookings can be made from the web page with the discount code ‘Freezing Week’. There are only 3+3 rooms, so the offer is due only for as long as there are rooms available.
Email: [email protected].
Discount code: Freezing Week
Other options
Airbnb Private accommodation, the prices vary.
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna is under renovation
Freezing Week is organized in Hämeenlinna University Centre at Visamäki (Visamäentie 35 A, Hämeenlinna).
HAMK wireless visitor network
A wireless visitor network is available in all HAMK campuses.
Tap water
Finland has pure and healthy tap water, which is available almost anywhere free of charge. Tap water in Finland is among the highest quality in the world and needs no treatment in many areas. If you carry your own reusable bottle with you (and hopefully you do), you can fill your own bottle from the tap.
Suitable clothing and footwear
Always check the weather forecast before your trip: Foreca or Finnish Meteorological Institute
The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Hämeenlinna in February is -11.0°C. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around -4.0°C.
For most of the year, the key to a perfect Finland outfit is layers. Visitors travelling to Hämeenlinna should definitely plan on bringing a warm sweater and winter jacket as well as winter shoes since there will be periods of snow. Also pack warm gloves and warm, preferably windproof hat.
Living with allergies
If you have allergies or special diets, you certainly do not need to worry! Finland and HAMK follow the EU regulations that require certain allergens to be always mentioned in the food tags. For more detailed information, please read here.
Shopping
S-group markets and K-group markets are the two most common supermarket chains in Finland, from which you can shop for everyday groceries. There are also Lidl and Tokmanni. R-kioski is the convenience store chain.
Money and paying
ATM = OTTO or NOSTO. ATMs are available in many central places, and you can withdraw cash with internationally recognised credit cards.
In Finland, the most common method of payment is a debit or credit card. Foreign debit and credit cards can be used in Finland, but it is best to check with your card provider before arriving in Finland.
Healthcare
If you need to visit the pharmacy during your visit, the place is called Apteekki in Finnish. If you need other health services, you can find information here.
Emergency number 112
There is only one emergency number in Finland – 112. Please do not call the emergency number unless you have a genuine emergency for which you need urgent assistance from the authorities (police, paramedics, firefighters, or social services). Please refer to Emergency Response Centre Agency Finland for more detailed information on calling the emergency number. You can also download the 112 Suomi application.
Travelling to Hämeenlinna
Hämeenlinna campus is in Visamäki, 2 km from the Hämeenlinna city centre.
The nearest airports are Helsinki-Vantaa and Tampere-Pirkkala. You can take a bus or a train to Hämeenlinna from both airports.
Travel by bus: Matkahuolto I Onnibus
Travel by train: Finnish Railways VR (You can also download an app called VR Matkalla)
Bus connection from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Hämeenlinna:
The bus connection from Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport to Hämeenlinna is the easiest way to get to Hämeenlinna. A bus to Hämeenlinna sets off several times a day and takes a little over an hour. The prices vary from around 11€ up to 19€. Express buses to Hämeenlinna depart right outside the airport terminal. The ticket can be purchased from the bus driver or beforehand online. Please note that you may have to change buses in Keimolanportti Service Station, about 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. It is best to consult the driver about the possible change. For more information about the bus schedules and travel details, please visit Matkahuolto or Onnibus.
Train connection from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Hämeenlinna
The train station is located at the airport on the arrivals floor, at the corridor between Terminals 1 and 2. The total journey from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Hämeenlinna takes about 1,5 hours depending on the changing time in Tikkurila. I and P trains cover the Ring Rail between the city centre and Helsinki Airport. Nearly all long-distance and most commuter trains stop at Tikkurila, where you’ll have to change trains to get to Hämeenlinna.
Make sure to buy a ticket from the airport all the way to Hämeenlinna (it is cheaper like that). On commuter train (Commuter train I, P and R) you can sit anywhere and on InterCity/Pendolino trains you’ll get an assigned seat.
Make sure to buy a ticket before entering the train – no tickets are sold on trains. Tickets can be bought from Finnish Railways VR or VR Matkalla app.
Bus Connection from Tampere to Hämeenlinna
Tampere-Pirkkala airport is located 6 km for the city centre. Bus line 103 operates between the airport and city centre.
You can take a bus from Tampere city centre to Hämeenlinna (you can find the timetables at Matkahuolto and Onnibus). The ride will take an hour.
Trains from Tampere to Hämeenlinna
Tampere-Pirkkala airport is located 6km for the city centre. Bus line 103 operates between the airport and city centre. The walk from bus station to the railway station is little under 1km and takes around 10 minutes. From Tampere you can choose either a commuter train or Intercity/Pendolino train to Hämeenlinna. This will take about an hour.
Make sure to buy a ticket before entering the train – no tickets are sold on trains. Tickets can be bought from Finnish Railways VR or VR Matkalla app.
By taxi
Usually there are taxis waiting on in front of the railway station, bus station or city centre marketplace. In Hämeenlinna there is no Uber service. You can also call a taxi from Taxi Häme (+358 200 55 111).
By bus
Local buses stop in front of the railway station as well. For the local bus route info and timetables you can visit this website. Bus number 2 goes from railway station and city centre all the way up to Hämeenlinna University Centre (bus stop is called Korkeakoulu P). Bus tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver by cash for 3,20€ (they do not accept bills over 20€ and prefer the exact change), by card for 2,28€(contactless payment– they accept most of the debit/credit cards, you can only pay your own bus ticket) or via Waltti – a mobile app.
Convenient bus stops for you:
Railway station (stop B)
Scandic Hämeenlinna City, Hotel Emilia, Matin ja Maijan Majatalo -> Bus station (stop D)
Hämeenlinna University Centre -> terminus at Korkeakoulu P
Accessibility and safety
If you would like to report an accessibility, safety, or other related observation before, during or after the event, you can either report it directly to our staff or send it by email to [email protected].
If you wish to report anonymously, please use this form.
Event safety and accessibility, Safety Officer Reima Kallinen tel. 040 5867982
Campus Info Point, Campus Assistant
Meri Heikkinen tel.0504757131
Our safety work is based on the idea that everyone has the right to contribute to the safety of our community. We are building a strong, sustainable and genuine sense of safety by working together to strengthen the everyday safety and resilience of our community. Read more here.
At the event, we will follow the Safer Space Principles to ensure that the event is a positive and rewarding experience for all participants.
We are aware that an event cannot always be completely safe for everyone, and we actively encourage participants to create an atmosphere of safety and well-being. Let’s look after each other.
Our core principles are:
- We respect everyone’s personal physical and mental space and do not cross boundaries without permission.
- We do not make assumptions or generalisations, and we respect everyone’s individuality and identity.
- We discuss constructively and give everyone the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. We respect each other’s opinions, experiences and different points of view. We are open to new ideas, and we ask questions with the courage to learn.
- We listen to feedback and change our behaviour if someone expresses that our behaviour makes others uncomfortable.
- We take responsibility for our own actions and apologise if we hurt others unintentionally or intentionally.
- We will always address any perceived or observed harassment, inappropriate behaviour or other threats to safety immediately, and offer our support in dealing with the situation.
If you experience or observe harassment or other inappropriate behaviour during an event that persists despite expressing discomfort with the situation, please contact the event organisers, the Security Officer (see contact details below) or other staff. We are here to help and support you.
If you wish, you can also report any observations after the event by e-mail or by using the anonymous reporting form (see contact details below).
The Hämeenlinna University of Applied Sciences is located at Vankanlähde 9.
There are emergency maps in the campus premises, which show the locations of escape routes and initial fire-fighting equipment, among other things. The campus has several defibrillators, in the event area in the N building on the 1st floor lobby and in the S building on the 3rd floor lobby.
The campus emergency plan is available online here.
Contact us:
