Pre-event of EBM 2011 - FinEst Wintertale

Article posted: 4.03.11

AEGEE-Helsinki and AEGEE-Tallinn once again partnered up to organize an international AEGEE-event - this time it was the pre-event to the European Boards’ Meeting (EBM) in Riga, The FinEst Wintertale, held between 18.-23.2.2011.

The pre-event started off with a bang on Friday night in Helsinki when the 20 chosen participants from 18 different AEGEE locals in total first came together. Spirits were high right from the start and already the first party lasted all the way until the early morning hours. The friendly atmosphere and great group spirit that would last throughout the event were obviously well established right from the beginning of the event.

The following Saturday morning the participants had a city tour of Helsinki’s most important sights. The air was cold and crisp but the spirit remained high nevertheless. Obviously our participants were well prepared for the sub-zero temperatures! After enjoying the lunch it was time for some outdoor activity in lovely winter weather, namely bobsleighing. We definitely saw some creative ways of going downhill with style! Full of energy after the sports activities, the group was ready for the day's party at KY in Helsinki.

On Sunday morning the participants and the most spirited Finnish organizers took an early ferry across the gulf to Estonia, where the ever-friendly members of AEGEE-Tallinn were ready to greet us with open arms. After the participants met their hosts, it was time to gather in the local Students’ house in the Old Town centre for a welcoming party - AEGEE-Tallinn style. The visitors were treated to a variety of delicates and some very funky party punch.

On Monday the participants enjoyed an informative city tour, had a lecture on youth unemployment and went ice-skating in the Old Town. In the evening it was time for the traditional AEGEE-Tallinn pub crawl. The group was divided into five teams that competed against each other by performing various challenging tasks at different pubs around the Old Town. It was an action packed Monday, indeed.

But, AEGEE-Tallinn had even more in store. On Tuesday it was time for some indoor beach volley and intensive booty shaking salsa lesson. The free time in the city center afterwards was definitely warmly welcomed. A few hours after the final party of the event took place. Although the parties during FinEst Wintertale up until then had already been almost legendary, this one took the cake. Total destruction seemed to be the order of the night as the group of party animals proceeded through this house party hosted by a brave member of AEGEE-Tallinn. Luckily the house was just being renovated, so no worries!

On Wednesday the survivors of our pre-event continued their journey to Riga, where the EBM of 2011 and more than 300 other Aegeeans were waiting for them. But that’s another story, to be told another time…

To get a small glimpse of what happened you can visit the photo gallery of the event here!