The conferment ceremony of the degrees to the thirteen newly elected Masters, Doctors and Honorary Doctors will start at Friday noon in the Lappia House of Rovaniemi. The ceremony shall be followed by a service in the Rovaniemi church and a festive dinner, where the Estonian President Lennart Meri will deliver a speech in the name of all the new Honorary Doctors.
This year, the University of Lapland celebrates its 20th anniversary. President Meri was elected Honorary Doctor for his work of considerable historical impact as a national and international educator and scholar of the culture of the peoples of the North.
On his way back from Rovaniemi, President Meri will have a meeting with the Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari on June 6, 1999. The Estonian President will be back in Tallinn on Monday, June 7.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 2, 1999
