Graduation traditions at school. Graduation party traditions: how is the holiday celebrated in different countries of the world? Major changes in celebration

Graduation party is one of the most long-awaited events in the life of every student. It is this day that completes the series of exams and symbolizes the transition to adulthood. Someone has already decided on the choice of a future profession, and someone is still in thought. Nevertheless, the prom never goes unnoticed by schoolchildren. The traditions of celebrating a graduation party in Russia are known to everyone, but how are things in other countries? City+ has studied this issue and offers to find out how graduations are celebrated in America, Norway, Germany, Japan and Poland.

Graduation in Russia


A series of proms in Russia traditionally begins in the second half of June. However, the preparation for the holiday begins much earlier. The official ceremony of the evening in each school takes place according to the established canon: the presentation of medals, certificates and parting words from the leadership of the educational institution.

There are also some exceptions to the rule. So, in some regions of Russia, the solemn part begins with the laying of flowers at the monuments to the participants of the Great Patriotic War.

In Moscow, the graduation party, as a rule, takes place on the night of June 23-24. Recently, metropolitan schoolchildren have abandoned the tradition of choosing a cafe and spend the final day of school time at large city venues.

In the northern capital, proms have received a special status. St. Petersburg schoolchildren are given the opportunity to visit the Scarlet Sails holiday, which has already become international, which will be held for the eleventh time this year. The detailed program of "Scarlet Sails-2015" can be found

Of course, the subtleties and nuances of each city do not exclude a concert program, school balls and discos, after which former schoolchildren meet the dawn.

Graduation in the USA

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The so-called degree day or graduation party in the USA is also associated with the transition of the student to a new level of education. American schoolchildren manage to celebrate such an evening more than once, since similar ceremonies are held in higher educational institutions after students receive their next academic degree (bachelor's, master's). Thanks to American films, it's no secret that there is another significant tradition - tossing academic caps into the air.

The official part of the ceremony often begins with demonstration marches and speeches. Only after that, graduates are awarded a diploma, marking the end of the school.

Graduation in Norway


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In Norway, they prepare very carefully for the graduation party, or rather, for a two-week celebration. Each graduate knows for sure that it is necessary to prepare a multi-colored jumpsuit for graduation. This tradition can be compared with our tradition, which has been preserved since Soviet times, - to wear bows and white aprons for the "last call".

Graduates in Norway dress up in jumpsuits of different colors and have fun all 14 days. On the night of May 1, classmates write notes to each other on costumes. It is worth noting that schoolchildren choose the color of overalls consciously - it should indicate the future profession of the graduate. Blue overalls are for those who will enter the university, red ones are for those who will work in economic specialties, black ones are for future technicians, and white ones are for athletes.

Graduation in Germany


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In Germany, graduation takes place after the announcement of the results of the final exams. The traditional ball is held in late spring or early summer.

German schoolchildren have their own special tradition - this is "Abifeier" or "celebration of the certificate" - an informal holiday. It is organized by students and the initiators can make fun of the teachers in a friendly way.

This is followed by "Abiball" - a formal prom with a dress code. At the graduation party in Germany, drinking alcohol is allowed, since the laws of the country allow drinking beer and wine from the age of 16, and many graduates are already 18 years old or older at the time of graduation.

Graduation in Japan


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Japanese graduates are among the first to celebrate their graduation party - as a rule, the evening takes place in the last days of March, since the new academic year should begin in April.

The Japanese graduation party is distinguished by the absence of festive dresses and lush hairstyles - schoolchildren come to this holiday in casual clothes: girls - in traditional sailor uniforms, boys - in black school uniforms.

The graduation ceremony, as elsewhere, is held in the large assembly hall of the school. First, the floor is given to the director, then the best students are invited to the stage to say words of gratitude. After the official part and the presentation of diplomas, each graduate is given an album with photographs of classmates. As a rule, at the end of the official part, all the guests go home.

Graduation in Poland

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S todniowka is the name given to graduation in Poland. The traditional graduation ball is held one hundred days before graduation. It begins with a polonaise, with the first couple in the polonaise being the principal of the school with an alumnus or graduate. This is followed by the official part with the presentation of diplomas and words of welcome.

For every high school student, the upcoming prom is important, which, as a rule, is held at the school. It is worth noting that not only students, but also their parents are preparing for this event. Even before the onset of this gala evening, a large number of children begin to think through every little detail of their outfit. In addition, it is worth noting that graduates prepare in advance various skits, songs, dances that will be demonstrated at the gala evening.

But it is worth paying attention to the fact that in each country, students celebrate graduation in different ways. Thus, the students bring national flavor to this event. But on the territory of our country graduation has been celebrated for many centuries. Students of our country are currently ordering clubs, cafes and restaurants in which the main part of the celebration takes place. But it is worth noting that in our country there is a certain tradition that is directly related to the prom. The thing is that in our country, students, together with their parents, meet the dawn. But it is worth paying attention to the fact that each country has its own tradition associated with prom.

Traditions in countries

It is very interesting to hold graduation in the territory of a country like Switzerland. It is customary to start a gala evening in this place with a gala breakfast with sparkling wine. The outfit that they wear on this day is also very important for the Swiss. Graduates in this country, as a rule, wear white dresses, and boys wear a suit. Each graduate wears a small white hat for this event. Please note that everyone can write their wishes to the graduate on the lining of such a hat. After the ceremony at school is over, the children go outside and throw their white hats up. Then the graduates get into cars with an open body. As a rule, all cars are decorated in advance with birch twigs. In such transport with the music turned on, graduates drive around the city. But the celebration itself ends directly at home. On this day, graduates invite home a large number of guests. In addition, young Swedes on this day receive a large number of various gifts that guests bring.

But on the territory of Norway on this day, all graduates put on funny overalls. The color of the dress worn must correspond to the profession that the graduate has chosen for himself. For example, red suits indicate that their owners have chosen an economic specialty for themselves. The guys who put on blue suits that day tell everyone that they will go to university after school. Please note that the celebration is held for seventeen days. During these two weeks, graduates have the right to play pranks, but they cannot take off their overalls. On the territory of this country, graduates are allowed almost everything for seventeen days. Thus, children have the opportunity to plunge into childhood for the last time.

In the schools of France, complete discipline reigns throughout the academic year. But at their graduation, students get complete freedom. They can throw raw eggs at the school, pour water on teachers who have been unfair to them throughout the school year. In addition, such teachers arrange real terror on the day of graduation. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the desks on this solemn day for students do not break. But everything that can be caught by students who graduate from school on the way is simply destroyed.

Traditions of Poland and Scotland

For many years, a gala evening has not been held on the territory of Poland. Instead, three months before the end of studies, a stodniowka holiday is held. Holding such a celebration in this country begins directly with a polonaise dance. Please note that the first couple that steps on the floor consists of the director of the educational institution and one of the graduates. Only after the dance is over does the fun begin. Very often this celebration is celebrated on the territory of the educational institution. Please note that the hall in which the celebration is planned, the students decorate on their own without any help. Also, Polish students prefer to celebrate the prom in pubs, clubs and restaurants. For the holiday, as a rule, young men wear suits, and girls wear dark-colored evening dresses.

But in Scotland there is no gala evening for children. The students have no idea about such an event. This is due to the fact that during the last year of study, students independently choose the subject that they will take in the exam. In this country, there are a very large number of cases when graduates pass exams unsatisfactorily. First of all, this closes the doors for them to any colleges and universities. That is why the government of the country decided not to hold proms. As a rule, a festive atmosphere reigns at such events, first of all, because the exams were passed perfectly. But, despite this state of affairs, a large number of Scots arrange their holidays instead of prom. The Japanese wear school clothes during the gala evening. In schools, directors give solemn speeches and congratulations to graduates. In this country, it is not customary to hold discos or carnivals in honor of graduation.

Prom in the USA

Prom in America is a romantic event. But it is worth mentioning that students conduct very serious preparation for such an action. Throughout the year, the girls carefully select the outfit in which they will attend the celebration dedicated to the end of school. This event also brings a lot of trouble to the lives of young people. According to tradition, students come to prom in limousines. But to the dress of the girl who will go with the guy to the holiday, he must attach a flower. According to the traditions of this country, a girl has no right to come to the ball without a companion. As a rule, guys pick up their companions by car, give them flowers and spend the celebration to the venue. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the whole evening the young man should carefully monitor the warded girl. In the event that this law is violated, the guy will face public censure. If the couple was not found, young people come to the gala evening in small groups of several people. But it is worth noting that graduates have every right to invite a classmate, elementary school students. In this case, a certain condition is met. A student who invites guests to a holiday must first of all be a graduate himself.

The ball itself is prepared throughout the year. But at the end of the gala evening in this country, it is customary to choose the King and Queen of the prom. Only after all the events, students who have graduated from school can go to restaurants and hotels, where they will continue to celebrate their celebration. But the educational institution issues certificates to graduates only after a few days. Quite original is customary to celebrate farewell to the school in China. It is on this day that all Chinese throw notebooks, diaries, pencils, pens out of the windows of their classes. In Pakistan, it is not customary to solemnly celebrate graduation.

Instead, at the graduate's house, the parents prepare the so-called "farewell dinner". But the graduates of Australia for the prom must arrive by transport, which has an unusual appearance. In this regard, a large number of children have been inventing for a long time how to decorate transport as unusually as possible before the celebration. Quite often, students came to graduation in fire trucks, wheelbarrows or tractors. Thus, they tried to impress their classmates.

No matter how the prom celebration is held, it is worth remembering that it is very important for every student. After all, the school is already over and the road to adulthood is opening before every young person.

Graduation ball for any schoolchild or student is a significant event in life. In this regard, such a thing as graduation catering appeared, i.e. agencies offer their services in organizing a chic graduation. But still there are traditions and in each country the holiday of farewell to study is celebrated differently. Somewhere they hold solemn balls, and somewhere they are limited to an informal fun party, but everywhere there are their own characteristics, customs and signs. What interesting graduation traditions exist in different countries of the world?
At Harvard graduation one for the whole university. Each school has a strictly designated place (like a sector in a stadium). Graduates wear gowns and caps (the gown must be rented for $150 - as a kind of "donation" to the university). Each gown has a lining of a certain color: if you are a bachelor, then the lining is crimson (the color of Harvard), if you have a master's degree, then the lining is the color of your bachelor's university (for example, blue for Colombia, or green for Dartmouth College), and if you are a foreigner , then the lining should be in the colors of your national flag. At the most solemn ceremony, two students always speak: one delivers a speech in Latin by a marathon runner who ran 42 kilometers to inform the Athenians about the victory, the second student delivers a speech on any topic (this is considered very honorable and people usually write in resume). The ceremony usually awards an honorary doctorate to some famous person (it is not at all necessary that he studied at Harvard). For example, JK Rowling, or US Senator Edward Kennedy.

In Massachusetts At the Institute of Technology, students at graduation wear a special Brass Ring - with several faces, the design of which each new course creates itself (the symbol, motto, MIT seal, secret symbols of the course, release dates should be engraved on it). During the presentation of the diploma, this ring is turned over by the side on which the date of graduation from the university is written. At the informal part of the graduation at MIT, former students dump old and unnecessary things (furniture, textbooks, electrical engineering) from the roofs of dormitories and academic buildings. The main condition is the creation of maximum noise.

Taiwanese campus Southern University is considered very picturesque, in connection with which it is called the home of the angels. It is believed that when graduating, a student can borrow one of the angels from the campus as his faithful companion and protector for life. To do this, the graduate needs to touch the roof of the car with his hand when he leaves through the main gate (the angel can also be returned back - for this you just need to touch the roof of the car again at the entrance to the university)

At Georgetown University once every 5-6 years, graduates unscrew the clock hands from the main tower of the Healy Hall campus and send them by parcel to the Vatican. The guard tries to prevent this, but from time to time the hands still disappear from the dial.

At the University of Virginia students have an unspoken tradition - before graduation, run naked to the statue of Homer and kiss him on the buttocks. Yale graduates also like to run naked around the campus.

At the University of Cambridge the graduate kneels before the vice-chancellor of the university, who clasps his hands, and then awards the student a degree and presents a diploma.

At the University of Coimbra, in Portugal, each graduate becomes a participant in a colorful ceremony of burning multi-colored ribbons, painted in the colors of the faculties. Ribbons, symbolizing farewell to studies and the end of student life, are burned in special pots.

Some universities in Japan there is a tradition to take the KitKat chocolate mascot with you to exams and graduation, as in Japanese kitto katsu - a phrase consonant with the brand of a chocolate bar, translates as "I will win, of course."

Graduates of the Medical Academy in Moscow them. I. M. Sechenov wrapped with bandages monuments to Pirogov and Sechenov, while in St. Petersburg, graduates of the Higher Naval School. Frunze put on a vest on the monument to Ivan Fedorovich Kruzenshtern.

Cadets of the Naval Academy and the Nakhimov School in St. Petersburg, they decorate the statue of the Bronze Horseman, paying attention to the stallion under the sculpture: the causal places are polished to a shine (they say that it is precisely because of this tradition that this element of the monument decreases in size every year).

At Princeton University after the graduation ceremony is over, newly minted graduates pass through Fitzrandolph Gates, the main gate of the campus from Nassau Street. It is through them that they enter the real world. Moreover, it is believed that those who use these gates to exit the university before their graduation increase their chances of being expelled from the university.

At MSTU im. Bauman graduates in helmets ride in basins tied to cars around the hostel on Izmailovsky Prospekt. To improve the sliding performance, old notes are placed under the basins. And after passing the diploma at MSTU. Bauman drink champagne from a tube for drawings, and then throw the tubes into the river.

Universities in Argentina it is customary to throw a graduate with eggs, mustard, wine, and whatever else is necessary.

in Wroclaw University graduates dress in modern and ridiculous clothes a statue of a swordsman that stands in front of the university.

And the cadets of the Engineering and Construction School them. Komarovsky every year at graduation, he manages to remove the gates of the school from the hinges.

A selection of how the school graduation party is celebrated in different countries.

Of course, no ball is complete without serious preparation. A year before this event, graduates from all over the world are immersed in a maelstrom of preparations. This is not surprising, because you need to think through every little thing, every detail. Who will wear what, who will go with whom, where to spend it and, of course, who will become the King and Queen of the ball. We must not forget and thank our teachers who have helped schoolchildren to comprehend school wisdom for so many years. To do this, graduates come up with a variety of scenes, learn songs and dances, and prepare unusual gifts.

All over the world, graduates celebrate graduation in different ways, bringing their national flavor to this amazing event.

Graduation ball in Russia

Graduation balls in Russia began to be held under Peter I. The first graduates who celebrated the end of their studies on a grand scale were students of the School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences in Moscow.

Pupils of the Corps of Pages were especially inventive during the celebration: especially for the graduation ball, the pupils ordered rings with the same symbol for themselves. This allowed the pages, graduates of different years, to recognize each other. By the way, at first girls were not allowed on such evenings. The emergence of young noblewomen became possible only in the 19th century. But the "bringing out" of the girls into the world was an exclusively commercial enterprise - the parents were looking for gentlemen for young beauties.

After the 1917 revolution, the situation changed dramatically. Graduation balls were banned as a bourgeois pastime and a relic of the past. But in the mid-1930s graduations at schools resumed. Of course, there was no trace of the former splendor of the outfits and the luxury of the halls. Instead, parting speeches became obligatory: junkers and coquettes were replaced by Komsomol members and Komsomol members. But still they could not do without dancing: in addition to classical waltzes, even bourgeois foxtrots and Charlestons were performed.

The tradition of graduation balls was interrupted by the Great Patriotic War. On Saturday evening, June 22, 1941, graduation parties were held in many schools and colleges in the country. The young men and girls were carelessly circling in a waltz, and the very next day many of them put on their overcoats and went to the front. In the post-war years, graduation balls began to resemble the modern farewell to school life. There was a tradition to walk the class until dawn.

In the 70s there was a revolution in attitudes towards graduation. The girls wanted to outshine all their friends: they put on previously forbidden mini-skirts, did chemistry and make-up (at that time they had already stopped expelling them from the ball for cosmetics). For parents, the holiday began to cost a pretty penny. They spent up to 45 rubles on graduation - a lot of money at that time!

With the opening of the Iron Curtain, the tradition of celebrating the holiday on a grand scale returned to Russia again. In the 90s, it was a special chic to meet a new milestone in life on the deck of a pleasure boat rented by my parents. The sounds of the waltz were replaced by the rhythms of modern music.

Today, parents spend not 45 rubles, but several thousand on graduation parties. A dress, a hairstyle, a restaurant, a limousine - you won't surprise anyone with this. Graduates book an evening not only in cafes and bars, but also rent entire nightclubs, invite fashionable DJs and all kinds of exotic shows. After all, the main thing is that graduation is remembered for a lifetime!

In St. Petersburg proms have received a special status, like "Scarlet Sails" and are already celebrated by the whole city.

In Australia schoolchildren celebrate the end of the tenth and twelfth grade. By tradition, it is supposed to arrive at the prom in unusual vehicles. You have to use a lot of imagination to surprise your classmates, so graduates can come to the ball in a fire truck, tractor or even a wheelbarrow.

In Sweden Prom begins with a celebratory champagne breakfast. Along with each graduate (for girls it is a white dress, and for boys - a suit) a white cap is supposed, on the lining of which everyone can sign as a keepsake. At the end of the official part at school, graduates go outside and throw these hats into the air. After that, yesterday's schoolchildren get into cars with an open body, decorated with birch branches, turn on loud music and drive around the city. The holiday ends at home, where the guys invite many guests. At the same time, for young Swedes, a graduation party is also an occasion to receive practical gifts that are given to them by invited guests.

According to Norwegian tradition graduates dress up in funny overalls of different colors depending on their future specialty. So red overalls denote economic specialties, blue - for those who will go to university. The duration of the holiday is 17 days - from the night of May 1 to the festive parade on Constitution Day on May 17. At this time, dressed in impromptu costumes, schoolchildren are naughty right and left. Here, “adult children” are forgiven for everything. This is the last dive into a carefree childhood! The night of the first of May is at the mercy of graduates along with the city center!

in French schools military discipline prevails. Therefore, at the graduation, the French come off to the fullest. They throw eggs at the school, splash the most unfair teachers with water and terrorize them. Of course, no one breaks desks, but everything that can be crushed becomes a target for angry graduates on their holiday.

In Poland Instead of a graduation party, they celebrate the stodniowka holiday, which is held a hundred days before graduation. The celebration begins with an obligatory polonaise dance, the first couple in which are the principal of the school with one of the graduates. After that, the real fun begins with dancing and singing. If the holiday is celebrated at school, then graduates compete in invention and ingenuity to decorate the hall. It is no less popular among Polish schoolchildren to celebrate this event in restaurants, pubs and clubs. There is also a dress code: for boys, these are three-piece suits or even tuxedos, and for girls, evening dresses are usually dark.

In Scotland school graduates do not know what the official school graduation is. The fact is that at the end of the last year of schooling, each graduate chooses which subjects he wants to take in the exam. Cases when schoolchildren pass exams unsatisfactorily are common in Scotland. And this means that the road to the university or college is closed for them. It is this circumstance that has influenced the fact that schools do not arrange graduation ceremonies, because only a joyful atmosphere should reign at a school graduation. But still, many Scottish graduates do not want to deprive themselves of the holiday. They throw parties in hotel rooms or meet in a pub.

in Italy as such, there is no graduation ball, graduates organize a party for themselves called I cento giorni (100 days), which takes place, in fact, 100 days before the final exams. Why exactly 100? Italians believe that this is how long it takes to review everything learned before exams.

Japanese always very serious. If graduation, then by all means in a school uniform, with congratulations from the director and his solemn speech. No carnivals, dresses with rhinestones, or, God forbid, discos! Everything is very strict and restrained.

In Germany the most important action is the preparation for the prom. Graduates invent a hymn and emblem for themselves, publish a wall newspaper about themselves and their class. Each graduate must leave a memory of himself, so in parting they plant flowers and trees in the school garden.

According to Indian tradition the main event of the prom is the speech of the headmaster. At the same time, each student receives a small printed booklet, which contains addresses, dates of birth and small comments about each of the graduates. A special "literary committee" is engaged in compiling the booklet.

Graduation in America one of the most romantic, but also requiring serious preparation. Already a year later, graduates begin to think about a dress, hairstyle, makeup, bouquets and accessories. This event turns out to be no less troublesome for young people, because it is supposed to come to the prom in a limousine, it is also necessary to purchase a flower, which he will attach to the dress of the girl he will accompany. According to American tradition, a girl cannot come to a ball without a companion. He must come for her by car (most often a limousine), give flowers. lead to the place of celebration and patronize the whole evening. Violation of this law threatens with public censure. If a couple could not be found, graduates come in groups of several people. At the same time, you can invite to the ball not only one of your classmates, but also from elementary grades or the university. The main condition is that the inviter himself must be a graduate. Preparation for the ball also begins in advance. At the beginning of the last academic year, the graduating class elects the members of the organizing committee, which will be responsible for all the preparations for the ball. The organizing committee comes up with the theme of the ball (for example, "Hollywood" or "Moonlight Night"), decoration of the hall, contests. The school part of the ball ends with the choice of the King and Queen. which, as a rule, become the most popular and beautiful graduates. After that, all graduates go to restaurants or hotels. where they continue to celebrate until the morning. Graduates receive their certificates two days later.

in Lebanon graduation is held in the evening after the grand ceremony in a posh hotel with a formal dress code, rented cars, the choice of the king and queen of the ball.

In China they say goodbye to the school, throwing notebooks, diaries, pencils, pens out of the windows ...

In Pakistan do not solemnly celebrate graduation, but simply arrange a farewell dinner.

Malaysian alumni they arrange graduation for themselves, it is held on the beaches, in large bungalows with tropical cocktails, swimsuits.

So, many countries and an incredible number of traditions, but they are united by all the most solemn and beautiful school event - graduation party.