What a lovely day! Celebrating the Last Day of April in Uppsala is always wonderful, but this year I think it was exceptional. Sunshine, warmth, the feeling of spring and joy everywhere I looked. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Being Vice-Chancellor at Uppsala University involves a lot of hard work. A never-ending succession of meetings and discussions from morning till night. It’s enjoyable and feels important, but as the saying goes: a change is as good as a rest. Perhaps that’s why my enthusiasm tends to grow as the end of April approaches. I prepare my speeches and plan my timetable. There’s a lot to fit in – a familiar feeling from all the other months and days – but the difference is that right up until the Last Day of April, we’re doing it all with a big, constant smile on our faces.
One new item this year was the concert by the Academy Chamber Choir of Uppsala on our new outdoor stage at Ekonomikum. A beautiful morning, a newly composed fanfare by Mattias Lundblad, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a spring concert. I gave an opening speech and then enjoyed the music. I hope this marks the start of a new tradition. The running of the falls offered its usual thrills, but the sunshine made everything a bit more festive than usual.
The atmosphere at the herring lunch at UKK was pleasant and genial, as usual. There were speeches here too. First it was my turn and then the Chair of the Municipal Board, Erik Pelling. Between the speeches, there was singing and a celebration of the winner of this year’s schnapps song competition. Witty and stylish.
Still, the climax is the balcony at Carolina. It’s as close as I can get to knowing what it’s like to be a real rock star, where my only task is to wave my cap at exactly three o’clock. Thank you for a wonderful Last Day of April, and thank you for waving back. (Now I’m off to celebrate the birthday of our honorary fellow, King Carl XVI Gustaf.)
