December 1-8, 2018
The student traditions formed at the Selmecbánya Academy of Mining and Forestry are unique in Hungary, and are still practised by students of the successor institutions in Sopron, Miskolc, Dunaújváros and Székesfehérvár. Upon the centenary of moving the Hungarian Royal Academy of Mining and Forestry from Selmecbánya to Sopron, the University of Sopron is organizing several programmes.
The student traditions formed at the Selmecbánya Academy of Mining and Forestry are unique in Hungary, and are still practised by students of the successor institutions in Sopron, Miskolc, Dunaújváros and Székesfehérvár. Their most important elements include welcoming and educating freshmen (dubbed looser, or “balek”, as opposed to seniors, or the “firma”), the balek exam and christening, followed by the balek ball. “Trade functions” – a form of disciplined revelry according to centennial traditions, with elected “officials” like Praeses (president), Major domus (first official), Cantus praeses (lead singer), Contrapunkt (echo), Fuchsmajor (the baleks’ warden), etc. – are organised throughout the year. The traditions include a special collection of student songs (available as books, records, CDs), uniforms (according to disciplines and with special customs associated), balls, and the “valeta” ceremonies for graduating students (including a special trade function, feathering of a stone swan, carnival, the graduation march through the city, preceded by the university flag and a snaking line of mining lamps, and surrounded by students holding torches, saying goodbye to the city and the valeta ball). Further traditions include the lifelong friendships stemming from the special “balek-firma” relations, solemn burials with grief trade functions, the Selmec student assembly (organised at one of the successor institutions, or in Selmecbánya at every 5th year), Cantus competition (Selmec song contest), tarot competition, memorial patches and badges (on the uniform), books and postcards published by the students, etc. All of this has been a part of the UNESCO National Cultural Heritage since 2014!
Upon the centenary of moving the Hungarian Royal Academy of Mining and Forestry from Selmecbánya to Sopron, the University of Sopron is organizing a wide range of programmes, including theatrical production in Sopron, memorial journey to Selmecbánya completed with a conference, wreath laying and torch-lit march, publishing memorial albums, creating memorabilia and organizing exhibitions.
Project owner: University of Sopron
Project type: event, exhibition, conference, study, visit
Venue: Sopron – Selmecbánya (Banská Štiavnica)
Contact: http://uni-sopron.hu
