Opening Ceremony
On the evening of Saturday, 16 May 2009, 19.00, all participants, accompanying persons and exhibitors are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony in lecture hall 1:
| 19.00 | Welcome to Helsinki (short movie) |
| 19.05 | Pentti Huovinen (Turku, FI) 19th ECCMID President |
| 19.15 | Andreas Voss (Nijmegen, NL) 19th ECCMID Programme Director |
| 19.25 | Giuseppe Cornaglia (Verona, IT) ESCMID President |
| 19:35 | Krisse Salminen, Finland’s most famous stand up comedienne and award-winning magician Martti Vannas will guide you through the rest of the evening... |
| 19:45 | Team Fotonit, Olari Gymnastics, Junior Team World Champion |
| 19:50 | Total Cello Ensemble – a unique cello sextet from the prestigious Sibelius Academy |
Welcome Reception (20.00~22.00)
Directly following the Opening Ceremony all participants, accompanying persons and exhibitors are invited to attend the Welcome Cocktail, giving you a taste of the culinary specialities of the Finnish cuisine. The reception will be held within the foyers of the Helsinki Fair Centre. Enjoy Finnish and classical music while meeting both new and old friends. Opening Ceremony as well as the Welcome Reception are included in the registration fee.
Archipelago Dinner Cruise
Date/Time: Sunday, 17 May, 20.00
Length: 2 hour cruise + 20minute transfer
Price: EUR 99 per person (excluding drinks)
Meeting place: 20.00 transfer by main entrance of fair centre /
20.20 at Helsinkimarket place Royal Line water bus
Enjoy Helsinki – Daughter of the Baltic – fromthe sea on-board our private dinner cruise. There are over 300 islands off the Helsinki coast, and many historical sights such as Helsinki Cathedral and Suomenlinna Fortress Island can be seen from the deck. During the cruise, a 3-course dinner is served and a guide tells you about the sights seen along the way. As the cruise is booked privately for the ECCMID participants, it is excellent opportunity to socialize with other colleagues from around the world. Tour includes 2-hour cruise with guide, 3-course dinner (excluding drinks) and transfer from the fair centre to the harbour/market place.
Opera – W. A. Mozart – “Così fan tutte”
Date/Time: Monday, 18 May, 19.00
Length: 3 hours 20 minutes, 1 intermission
Price: EUR 51 per person
The Finnish National Opera presents a wide range of opera productions from the Opera House, a very interesting modern building beautifully located overlooking the sea on Töölönlahti Bay.
Don Alfonso challenges two young officers to a bet. He has 24 hours to prove that the officers’ fiancées are fickle in their love – like all women.
Mozart’s merry-go-round of love ranges from exuberant joy to dark despair. The music of Così fan tutte is breathtakingly beautiful, bubbling and compelling. In the 19th and early 20th century, the opera was considered improper. Subsequently it has been acknowledged as one of Mozart's greatestworks. The performance is in Italian, with surtitles in Finnish and English.