The Finnish Association of Agriculture Journalists will be hosting the 45^th Annual Meeting of the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists (IFAJ) in Savonlinna, Finland. We have selected the importance of the “Northern Dimension” to agriculture as the theme for the Meeting, which will be held in the city of Savonlinna, located approximately 300 km north-east of Helsinki. Savonlinna has a population of just under 30,000 and is located in an area which we feel best represents the primary production of Finnish agriculture and forestry. Savonlinna has an excellent tourist infrastructure, a product of the annual, internationally-acclaimed Savonlinna Opera Festival. Savonlinna is situated in the heart of Finland’s beautiful Lake District, with the city centre surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Saimaa, Finland’s largest inland watercourse.

In Finland, the weather in early September is varied. It may well be quite warm, with summer-like conditions, but guests should be prepared for the possible autumn cold snap and showers. Average daytime temperatures in September are approximately 10-11° C, with the evening mercury possibly dropping even below zero. September is also Finnish autumn at its most brilliant – the forests are positively illuminated with the marvellous warm colours of fall. 

Programme

Pre-congress tour: Friday 7 September 2001

Excursion to Russia (Additional Charge)

The Preliminary Congress  Programme

Saturday 8 September 2001
Transfer from Helsinki to Savonlinna (Additional Charge)
IFAJ Executive Committee
TERVETULOA-evening 

Sunday 9 September 2001

IFAJ Assembly of Delegates

Excursion: Presentation of Finnish agriculture and forestry
RANTAKALAA JA LAVATANSSIT
- evening at the Kerimaa dance pavilion

Monday 10 September 2001

General Meeting covering such topics as:

Finnish food and wood quality chain, high-tech food substance expertise, Finnish forest certification.

Reception at the City of Savonlinna

Tuesday 11 September 2001

Seminar: Food Safety in Europe
Excursions within Finland

SAUNA

Wednesday 12 September 2001

Excursions within Finland
JUHLAILLALLINEN - Farewell banquet held in the medieval Olavinlinna Castle

Thursday 13 September 2001

Transfer to Helsinki (Additional Charge)

Arrival in Finland

Guests will arrive in Finland via Helsinki Airport, from which they may travel to Savonlinna by plane, motor coach or rail, as desired. At an additional cost, we will provide motor coach service from Helsinki Airport to Savonlinna and back (approx. 3.5-4h).

Finland is also easily reached by car from anywhere in Continental Europe. There is regular car-ferry service from Stockholm to Helsinki or Turku. There are also regular car-ferries running from Germany and Estonia to Helsinki. Arriving by ferry will allow you to see our unique archipelago and enjoy the luxurious, but affordable, comfort of the Sweden-Finland ferries.

Accommodations

The high-grade Hotelli Seurahuone, located right in the heart of Savonlinna city centre, has been reserved for guests of the Meeting. Rooms have also been reserved for Meeting guests at the extremely charming Perhehotelli Hospiz, renowned for its own garden restaurant and located just next door to the medieval Olavinlinna Castle. The hotels are within a five-minute walk from one another.

Guests also have the opportunity to stay in a traditional Finnish summer cottage at the Kerimaan Lomakylä holiday village, approximately 15 minutes by bus from the city centre. Bus service will be provided between the holiday village and the Meeting venues, but lodgings in a summer cottage are especially well-suited to guests arriving in their own cars as well as for golfers, as the Kerigolf par 72 golf course is located right next door to the holiday village.

Meeting venue

The Meeting will be held at Savonlinnan Paviljonki, approximately 15 minutes by foot from the city centre. The venue is equipped with state-of-the-art conference and IT technologies. Official IFAJ meetings have English, German and French interpreters. The primary working languages used during the main seminar on Monday are English and German. The working language used during Thursday’s seminar is English.

Excursion to Russia

The Meeting programme includes a day-long excursion to Russia. For those wishing to join the excursion, please send 3 passport photos and a photocopy of the passport (all pages) approximately 2 months in advance for processing of the tourist visa. These are required by Russian authorities. There is no alternative programme offered for those staying in Finland during the excursion.

Meeting fees

Meeting fee is FIM 5,000/5,800 (double/single occupancy)

Helsinki-Vantaa airport – Savonlinna – Helsinki-Vantaa airport transfer: FIM 300
Excursion to Russia: FIM 1700/2000 (double/single occupancy)

We reserve the right to changes in fees and programme. Fees will be confirmed in January 2001 and the programme in July 2001.

Additional excursions

September in Finland is still an excellent time to travel. For both pre and post-Meeting excursions, please contact the Savonlinna Tourist Service at +358-15-517 510. They will be happy to arrange an excursion within Finland or even all the way to St. Petersburg.

For further information:

Finnish Association of Agriculture Journalists  +358-9-857 064 28 (ulla-mari.sundelin@faba.fi)  or +358-9-172 723 16 (pirjo.kontio@mail.suomenmaa.fi )

Savonlinna Tourist Service: +358-15-517 510

Further information on the Internet:

Meeting website: www.maataloustoimittajat.fi/ifaj-2001

City of Savonlinna and environs www.travel.fi/int/savonlinna

Hotelli Seurahuone: http://www.savonhotellit.fi/

Hotelli Hospiz: http://www.travel.fi/int/savonlinna/palvelut/Hospitz/

Kerimaan Hotellikylä www.kerimaa.net

Meeting venue www.travel.fi/int/paviljonki