In Finland, the office hours are normally 8.00 (or 9.00) am.- 4.15 pm., from Monday to Friday. Shops are usually open, Mon-Fri, 9.00 am.- 5.00 pm., Sat. 9 am.- 2 pm. (some supermarkets/ department stores are open on weekdays till 8-9 pm. , on Saturdays 8.00 am.- 6 pm. and during special semesters, e.g. Christmas/ Summer time, on Sundays 8.00 am. - 6 pm.)

Cinemas (ELOKUVATEATTERI)

Elokuvateatteri Killa: Punkaharjuntie 3
Elokuvateatteri Olavi: Olavinkatu 51

Foreign films are subtitled (in Finnish/ Swedish), not dubbed. Information on the films: local newspapers Itä-Savo on Fridays and Savonmaa on Wednesdays/ Sundays. The Savonlinna Cinemas give you a student discount with a valid student card on Mondays.

International Meeting Point (KANSAINVÄLINEN KOHTAUSPAIKKA)

International Meeting Point is run by Linnala Adult Evening School. It offers a possibility for all foreigners in Savonlinna to meet each other as well as Finns. The address is: Kangasvuokontie 11 C 18, Tel. (0)15 258 220.

Municipal Libraries (KIRJASTO)

Every Finnish municipality has one or several public lending libraries from which all the inhabitants of the municipality (including citizens of foreign countries) can borrow material (books, periodicals, audio-visual material, CD-ROMs, videos etc.), in most cases free of charge. Only if an item is not returned by the deadline, a fine will be charged.

Visiting a library for the first time, please take an ID card/ Passport with you. The library will issue a library card for lending the materials. The lending period is generally one month.

Main Library: Nälkälinnanmäki
Open: Mon-Fri ,11 am - 7 pm., Sat 10 .m. - 2 pm.

Music Library: Kirkkokatu 12
Open: Mon-Thu, 1 pm. - 7 pm., Fri 10 am. - 4 pm.

Museums (MUSEO)

Riihisaari Regional Museum (Riihisaari)
Permanent exhibition: prehistory in the Savonlinna area, other exhibitions.

Museum of Fine Arts: Olavinkatu 40

Olavinlinna Castle (OLAVINLINNA)

Open daily 10 am.-3 pm.
Guided tours every hour or on request.

Theatre (TEATTERI)

Savonlinnan Kaupunginteatteri: Olavinkatu 13
Booking: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Performances usually in Finnish.

Adult Education Centre LINNALA

Located in the center of Savonlinna (Sotilaspojankatu 7, tel. (0)15 511 80) Linnala offers a wide range of evening courses for everyone. Languages (also Finnish for Foreigners), music, textiles, philosophy, sports, fine arts, pottery, drama - you name it! Adult evening schools are very popular among Finns; it is also one of the best places to get to know people outside the university.

Sports

In general, Finns are enthusiastic about participating actively in sports events as well as being spectators. Ice-hockey (JÄÄKIEKKO), cross-country skiing (HIIHTO), down-hill skiing (LASKETTELU), and volleyball (LENTOPALLO) are popular in Finland, as well as basket ball (KORIPALLO), Finnish baseball (PESÄPALLO) and foot ball/ soccer (JALKAPALLO). There are also opportunities for golf, bowling, riding, tennis, hiking etc. A great variety of water sports like sailing, canoeing and rowing are naturally also available in the region.

In Finland, everyone is allowed to roam freely throughout the countryside. It is referred to as the right of public access/every man's right (JOKAMIEHEN OIKEUS). This means that you can walk around and pick berries and mushrooms, go sailing or swimming on what is actually private land or water. However, you should not light a fire or set up a tent without the landowner's permission. Please note that fishing licence is always needed (a general fishing management fee/ KALASTUKSENHOITOMAKSU can be paid at Post Offices); local fishing licence / KALASTUSLUPA) may be needed, as well; further information from the Tourist Office).

Kunto-Sampo Gym: Pappilankatu 3
Open: Mon-Fri 8 am.- 9 pm., Sat 12 am.- 4 pm., Sun 5 pm.- 8 pm.
Discount tickets available at the Office of the Student Union (Gym, Aerobics)

Liikunnan kuntopiste Gym, at the Bus Station.
Open: Mon-Wed, 10am.-9 pm., Tu-Thu, 8 am.- 9 pm.
Discount tickets available at the Office of the Student Union (Gym, Aerobics, Spinning)

Municipal Swimming Pool and Sauna (UIMAHALLI): Uimahallinkatu 2
Open:. Mon-Fri 12 am. - 8 pm., Sat-Sun 11 am.- 5 pm. ( Mon, Wed & Fri also 6 am. - 8.30 am). Free swimming for students on Wednesdays.

Aerobics, basketball and other sports free of charge for students at Normaalikoulu (University Practice School) or at OKL Liikuntahalli (University Sports Hall). Further information from the Office of the Student Union.

Tanhuvaara Sports Centre
Tanhuvaara Sports Centre is situated approximately 15 km from Savonlinna. A frequent bus service will take you there if you want to play tennis, squash, badminton (book beforehand), ski (cross-country), swim or do any other sports. Swimming pool, saunas, jacuzzi, gym, indoors track etc. Booking/info: tel. 739 000

Please note that the opening hours and prices may change -please check!