Unusual traditions of celebrating graduation in different countries. Prom traditions: how is the holiday celebrated in different countries of the world? How to celebrate graduation in Israel
Graduation ball is the most exciting event that any student looks forward to, because in addition to saying goodbye to school, on this day he says goodbye to childhood and enters adulthood. Since time immemorial, graduation parties have been held beautifully, solemnly and on a large scale, because every effort was made to ensure that graduates remember such a wonderful day for the rest of their lives.
History of the holiday
Graduations were held during the reign of Peter l. The first graduates were students from the School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences in Moscow. The students of the Corps of Pages were inventive in organizing the event. They ordered rings from the masters, on which symbols were applied, which were a specific sign. This sign helped to recognize each other after many years when meeting. It should be noted that the fair sex initially could not attend such a holiday, that is, a kind of discrimination reigned. The appearance of noblewomen at such a holiday became possible only in the 19th century, but going out into the world was a kind of show - parents tried to find gentlemen for their daughters.
The amazing tradition of holding graduations was interrupted in 1917, but already in the 30s it was resumed, but, naturally, there was no trace of the previous scope. Now the fiery speeches of teachers who released schoolchildren into life, whom they remember as first-graders, have become an indispensable attribute, but it should be noted.
The tradition of holding graduation ceremonies was interrupted during the Great Patriotic War. On Saturday June 22, 1941, schoolchildren celebrated their graduation from school. Many young men, who were dressed in beautiful suits, and girls in evening dresses, went to the front in the morning to fight for their country. After the war, graduation parties began to take place as a farewell to a carefree life. A wonderful tradition has emerged: to greet the sunrise with the whole class on the city embankment.
In the 70s, proms suffered another revolution. Beautiful evening dresses were replaced by the recently banned miniskirts, bright makeup and chemistry, because the main goal of the graduates was not to say goodbye to school time beautifully, but to outshine their friends and become the most beautiful. As a rule, organizing such a holiday cost parents a lot of money, because to organize a beautiful holiday they had to spend up to 45 rubles - and at that time this money was simply exorbitant for most families.
In the 90s, it was chic to hold graduation on a boat, which parents rented for graduates. A table was set on deck with a variety of treats, and live music or a collection of favorite songs were chosen as musical accompaniment. The musical accompaniment of the event also underwent a change, because the beautiful waltz was replaced by youth music.
Today, to organize a graduation party for their children, parents no longer spend 45 rubles, but several thousand rubles. A beautiful hairstyle, stylish clothes, shoes, paying for the establishment where the celebration will take place and the limousine that will take the graduates to the banquet hall costs a tidy sum. In addition, it is customary for many schools to give memorable gifts from the entire class at graduation and, as a rule, they also cost quite a bit of money.
How is graduation celebrated today?
Graduation is a kind of reward for students who have graduated from an educational institution and want to celebrate such a joyful holiday on a grand scale.
Today, organizing a graduation ceremony should be approached in advance, because many graduates book institutions six months in advance, pay for the reservation, and therefore, if you do not take care of choosing a place in advance, then you may simply not be able to find it.
Modern youth make great efforts to ensure that their holiday is fun, unconventional and memorable for the rest of their lives, because they perceive graduation from school as a kind of end to their torment, not taking into account that they have an adult life ahead of them, which is by no means carefree.
Many students will have another graduation in their lives to celebrate the completion of their highest academic graduation. It should be noted that not everyone goes to college for one reason or another, so many parents and their beloved children try to organize a creative, large-scale, beautiful, fun and filled with an incredible atmosphere graduation, which will be remembered as one of the best days.
The tradition of holding a graduation ceremony at their home school has already faded into the background, because many graduates choose as a place for such a celebration a cafe, a restaurant, a night club that is rented for the whole night, or a ship, where you can set a luxurious table on the deck and relax listening to live music .
The room in which the celebration will take place is usually decorated beautifully and originally with the help of beautiful arches made of balloons, flowers or fabrics. In addition, tables are set, on which, in addition to delicious dishes, sweets and juice, there are also alcoholic drinks.
The means of transport on such a day are limousines that perform a given route or minibuses, which can comfortably accommodate graduates, parents and teachers.
In most cases, parents and teachers are present at the graduation, but they do not sit at the same table with the graduates, but at a separate table or in different rooms, so as not to embarrass the youth.
To create a fun atmosphere, it is customary to invite a host who will develop the evening program and coordinate it with the main organizer of the evening. The presenter also coordinates all competitions in advance so as not to put students and invited parents and teachers in an awkward position. The highlight of the evening can be a guest star who will perform your favorite youth songs or show program.
It is customary to invite a videographer and photographer to the holiday, who will present holiday photographs and videos that graduates will watch and remember themselves.
The evening usually ends with festive fireworks on the street late in the evening, when it is dark outside, or with the launching of burning balloons.
There is another option for the development of events, but it is chosen by those graduates who do not like the official parts of the event and prefer to relax without their own parents, who sometimes do not allow them to spend time as they would like.
Since the graduation party falls in the summer, very often graduates prefer to rent gazebos in the forest, where they can organize barbecues and a delicious table. Some people prefer to rent apartments, dachas or country houses for a few days, where they can have fun relaxing in company and spend the night in rooms.
There are also classes where students are one big friendly company that prefers to relax away from their parents. Of course, this option to celebrate is quite expensive, but many people and children prefer to choose it: they go to a warmer place, where they will be able to have fun, shop plenty and visit all the local entertainment venues.
Do you want to know what graduation traditions there are in the USA, Japan, Norway and other parts of the world? Adukar will tell you how graduation is celebrated in different countries.
American graduation
In the United States, considerable sums are spent on graduation celebrations, as Americans consider graduation a significant event. Both boys and girls dress smartly on this day. A limousine is rented, in which happy graduates go to the main event - the prom. It is customary to come in pairs: according to tradition, at the end of the evening the school principal chooses the king and queen of the ball.
After the official part, the celebration moves to restaurants and hotels, where graduates party until the morning. The party is held in a non-alcoholic format: drinking alcohol in America is legal from 21 years of age.
Americans are masters of creativity for prom 
If our girls come to the last bell in the form of the USSR, then young American women pick up another fashion trend and wear their mothers’ or even grandmothers’ dresses to prom. Ellie Johnson's spectacular outfit (right) is over 22 years old. And you won’t tell, right?
Graduation in German
Celebrating school graduation in Germany begins informally and even before final exams. At this time, students make friendly jokes on teachers, come to classes in funny costumes and play pranks in every possible way at school.
After the final exams, the official part of the graduation takes place: a gala dinner and a graduation party. The Germans celebrate the holiday in glamor and style. Families of graduates and grandparents are always present.
Graduation in Japanese
Graduation from school in Japan is celebrated modestly. The graduation ceremony takes place in a large assembly hall, and Japanese graduates come to it in their everyday school uniform. After receiving their certificates, they divide into small groups and continue the celebration in a cafe, or return home and celebrate graduation with their family.
Graduation in Chinese
There is an unusual tradition for the end of exams in China. To get rid of memories of difficult exams, Chinese schoolchildren throw everything related to their studies out of the windows: books, notebooks, pens, pencil cases.
Graduation in Polish
In Poland, the graduation party is held 100 days before the end of school, it is called Studniówka. A luxurious hall is chosen for the celebration, guys wear tuxedos and suits, girls wear elegant dresses and red garters. The ceremony begins with a polonaise - a ceremonial dance-procession - led by the director together with one of the graduates.
Graduation in Norwegian
Who knows, Norwegian graduates know how to have a blast! The graduation celebration begins on the night of May 1st and lasts 17 days until the Norwegian Constitution Day. At this time, graduates walk around the city in a special “uniform,” which usually includes a T-shirt and sweatshirt with the school emblem, a cap, and overalls, usually red. On it, classmates write different wishes to each other.
It is interesting that graduation celebrations in Norway are organized by the students themselves at their own expense; the school administration has nothing to do with these events.
Among Norwegian graduates, the tradition of renting or even buying a bus, decorating it in the style of street art, ordering a driver, and driving around the city is gaining popularity.
Perhaps the Norwegian graduation is the most fun! What does your ideal graduation look like? Share your thoughts on our social networks.
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Graduation is a grandiose and significant event, for which it is customary to prepare in advance. Every person has had this holiday at least once, because the end of school, college or university is marked by a graduation party. And in different countries, graduation celebrations are different and have their own characteristics.
1. How graduation appeared in Russia
Initially, no one celebrated graduations in Russia, since it was not even imagined what scale the celebration of farewell to school life could reach. Peter I was the person who allowed the graduation party to be celebrated. Back at the beginning of the 18th century, graduates of one of the Russian schools had their first prom. A few years later, graduation began to be celebrated in many Russian cities. An interesting fact is that in those days not a single prom was complete without a fight.
2. The first appearance of girls at balls
Previously, girls were not allowed to study at higher educational institutions, and therefore were not present at graduation ceremonies. Only at the beginning of the 19th century were they allowed to celebrate graduation with the boys. But the girls did not appear at the balls in order to receive a diploma of education - parents brought their daughters to graduations in order to find a suitable groom.
3. Dramatic changes in celebration
At the end of the 20th century, enormous changes began in Russia not only in the education system, but also in the conduct of graduation ceremonies. Then girls could come to the party with a fashionable hairstyle, for example, a perm. Among other things, it was allowed to wear not a fluffy dress, as before, but a short skirt and a not too closed blouse. Graduates could even appear wearing makeup, which looked quite strange in those years.
At the same time, school amateur ensembles began performing at graduation ceremonies, performing their new songs. Proms were quite expensive for parents, but this did not stop young people, because children demanded fun. At such evenings they even began to serve champagne.
4. Grand graduations in America
Prom in America is one of the most anticipated holidays, and on this day, grown-up children try not only to stand out from the crowd, but to look as cool as possible than their peers: while guys rent expensive limousines to impress the fairer sex, The girls themselves choose lush and bright outfits in order to attract the attention of all guests of the evening and awaken the envy of their classmates. It is noteworthy that alcohol is strictly prohibited at American proms, but young people find ways to circumvent this ban.
5. January graduations in Poland
In Poland, it is customary to have fun at the prom a hundred days before graduation. This day is celebrated around January, so putting on a beautiful dress or suit becomes problematic, because it is quite cold. The graduation begins with a polonaise, a Polish formal dance that initially involves the principal and several graduates. Towards evening, the heroes of the occasion make toasts, dance and sing. Alcohol is allowed, but preference is given to champagne, which is combined with sweets.
6. Ball in the morning in Sweden
After graduating from school or a higher educational institution, it is also customary in Sweden to celebrate graduation, but it begins not in the evening, but in the very morning: graduates eat strawberries and drink champagne, after which they begin to prepare for the formal part. There is another interesting feature of graduation celebrations in Sweden: graduates are given white caps with special inserts - anyone can sign them or leave their wishes. Well, after the ceremonial greeting, the graduates go out into the street and throw their caps into the air to say goodbye to childhood forever.
7. Baptism at graduation in Norway
In Norway, they prepare for graduation parties with special responsibility, because this holiday lasts not one day, but seventeen. Graduates prepare costumes and funny business cards for themselves, which they later exchange. After preparing the notes, all graduates come to the place of a certain Baptism, where they meet with their baptists, who say parting words to the children. Among other things, graduates bring their own drinks and try them with the baptists. After such events, graduates go to the city center, where the fun continues.
8. Cleaning up cities after graduation in China
In China, graduation parties are very fun and noisy. Former students are having fun and doing whatever they want: they look out of the school windows and throw away objects that are in some way connected with the period of study - notebooks, pens, rulers, pencils and other accessories then lie on the city streets. It is impossible to envy those people who clean the streets. But since the tradition has existed for a long time, most students are accustomed to cleaning up their own school supplies after the fun. This is perhaps one of the most interesting graduation celebration traditions on our list!
9. Picnic in France
In France, there are practically no proms, because in high school classmates change every year. Sometimes it is allowed to hold a holiday one hundred days before the last exam. Then the students go on a picnic or to a cafe to have a little fun.
10. Boring celebrations in Germany
The Germans have always been distinguished by restraint. And even children don’t have fun after finishing school - there are simply no formal graduation parties in Germany. The evening is limited to the presentation of diplomas and a small performance. So that's why German adults are so serious - they just didn't have fun at their school prom!
11. Beach party in Cuba
Graduation in Cuba begins quite officially - the director issues diplomas and gives a commencement speech. But after the formal part, graduates go to the beach and have fun until the morning.
12. Celebration for parents of a graduate in South Africa
In South Africa, not only graduates, but also their relatives look forward to graduating from school. The whole family comes to the assembly to hear about the achievements of their own children. On this occasion, everyone wears their ethnic costumes to make dancing more comfortable.
13. Australia – who came with what?
Proms in Australia are very funny: the highlight of the evening is the transport in which the graduate will arrive at the ball. But limousines, no matter how luxurious they are, do not impress Australians. A rare convertible, an ambulance or even a plane bus - this is what is worthy of attention!
For every high school student, the upcoming prom, which is usually held at school, is important. 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 detail of their outfit. In addition, it is worth noting that graduates prepare in advance various skits, songs, and 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, 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 making orders for clubs, cafes and restaurants where 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 prom. The thing is that in our country, students meet the dawn together with their parents. 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 a graduation ceremony in a country like Switzerland. The gala evening here usually begins with a gala breakfast with sparkling wine. The outfit they wear on this day is also very important for the Swiss. Graduates in this country usually wear white dresses, and boys wear a suit. Each graduate wears a small white cap to this event. Please note that everyone can write their wishes to the graduate on the lining of such a cap. After the ceremony at school is over, the children go outside and throw their white caps up. Next, graduates sit in cars with an open body. As a rule, all cars are decorated with birch branches in advance. In such transport with music turned on, graduates travel throughout the city. But the celebration itself ends directly at home. On this day, graduates invite a large number of guests home. In addition, on this day young Swedes receive a large number of different gifts brought by guests.
But in Norway, on this day, all graduates wear funny overalls. The color of the robe worn must correspond to the profession that the graduate has chosen for himself. For example, suits that are red indicate that their owners have chosen an economic specialty. The guys who put on blue suits on this day tell everyone that they will go to university after school. Please note that the celebration takes place over seventeen days. During these two weeks, graduates have the right to play pranks, but they cannot take off their overalls. In this country, graduates are allowed almost everything for seventeen days. In this way, children have the opportunity to experience their childhood one last time.
In French schools, complete discipline reigns throughout the school 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. On top of everything else, such teachers are subjected to real terror on the day of graduation. It is worth paying attention to the fact that desks are not broken on this solemn day for students. But everything that may come across to students who have graduated from school on the way is simply destroyed.
Traditions of Poland and Scotland
For many years, the gala evening has not been held in Poland. Instead, three months before the end of school, the Stodniowka holiday is held. Holding such a celebration in this country begins directly with the polonaise dance. Please note that the first couple to step 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 students decorate the hall in which the celebration is planned on their own without anyone’s help. Also, Polish students prefer to celebrate their graduation party in pubs, clubs and restaurants. For the holiday, as a rule, boys wear suits, and girls wear dark evening dresses.
But in Scotland there is no formal 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 where graduates pass exams unsatisfactorily. This first of all closes the doors to any colleges and universities for them. That is why the country's government decided not to hold graduation ceremonies. As a rule, at such events there is a festive atmosphere, first of all, because the exams were passed perfectly. But, despite this state of affairs, a large number of Scots arrange their own holidays instead of a prom. The Japanese wear school clothes throughout the gala evening. At schools, principals make ceremonial 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 undergo very serious preparation for such an action. Throughout the year, girls carefully select the outfit they will wear at the graduation ceremony. This event also brings a lot of trouble into the lives of young people. According to tradition, students arrive at the prom in limousines. But he must attach a flower to the dress of the girl who will go with the guy to the holiday. According to the traditions of this country, a girl has no right to attend the ball without a companion. As a rule, guys pick up their companions by car, give them flowers and take them to the celebration venue. It is worth paying attention to the fact that throughout the evening the young man must very carefully monitor the girl under his care. If 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, junior students. In this case, a certain condition is met. The student who invites guests to the 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 further celebrate their celebration. But the educational institution issues certificates to graduates only after a few days. It is quite original to celebrate farewell to school in China. It is on this day that all Chinese throw notebooks, diaries, pencils, and pens out of the windows of their classrooms. It is not customary to celebrate graduation ceremony in Pakistan.
Instead, the parents prepare a so-called “farewell dinner” at the graduate’s house. But Australian graduates must arrive at their prom by means of transport that has an unusual appearance. In this regard, a large number of children have been inventing for a long time how to decorate their vehicles in the most unusual way before the celebration. Quite often, students arrived at graduation in fire trucks, wheelbarrows or tractors. In this way, they tried to impress their classmates.
No matter how the graduation party is celebrated, it is worth remembering that it is very important for every student. After all, school has already ended and the road to adulthood opens ahead of every young man.
Graduation evening is one of the most long-awaited events in the life of every student. This day ends the series of exams and symbolizes the transition to adulthood. Some have already decided on their choice of future profession, while others are still in thought. Nevertheless, the graduation party never goes unnoticed by schoolchildren. The traditions of celebrating graduation in Russia are known to everyone, but what are things like 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
The series of graduation ceremonies in Russia traditionally begins in the second half of June. However, preparations for the holiday begin 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 some exceptions to the rules. Thus, in some regions of Russia, the ceremonial part begins with the laying of flowers at the monuments to the participants of the Great Patriotic War.
In Moscow, graduation parties usually take place on the night of June 23-24. Recently, schoolchildren in the capital have abandoned the tradition of choosing cafes and are spending the final day of school at large city venues.
In the Northern capital, proms have received a special status. St. Petersburg schoolchildren have the opportunity to attend the now international Scarlet Sails festival, 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 greet the dawn.
Graduation in the USA
Image source: alapdetbibl.blogspot.ru
The so-called degree day or graduation party in the USA is also associated with the student’s transition 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 is no secret that there is another significant tradition - throwing academic caps into the air.
The official part of the ceremony often begins with demonstration marches and reading speeches. Only after this are graduates awarded a diploma marking the end of school.
Graduation in Norway
Image source: www.anons.uz
In Norway, they prepare very carefully for the graduation party, or rather for the two-week celebration. Every graduate knows for sure that it is necessary to prepare a multi-colored jumpsuit for graduation. This tradition can be compared with our tradition, preserved from Soviet times, of wearing bows and white aprons at the “last call”.
Graduates in Norway dress in jumpsuits of different colors and have fun all 14 days. On the night of May 1st, classmates write notes to each other on their suits. It is worth noting that schoolchildren choose the color of their overalls consciously - it should indicate the graduate’s future profession. Blue overalls are for those who will go to 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
Image source: vk.com
In Germany, graduation takes place after the results of the final exams are announced. The traditional ball is held in late spring or early summer.
German schoolchildren have their own special tradition - this is the "Abifeier" or "certificate celebration" - an informal holiday. It is organized by students and the initiators can make fun of teachers in a friendly manner.
This is followed by "Abiball" - a formal prom with a dress code. At a 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.
Image source: kaluga24.tv
Japanese graduates are among the first to celebrate their graduation ceremony - as a rule, the evening takes place in the last days of March, since the new school year is due to begin in April.
The Japanese graduation party is distinguished by the absence of festive dresses and fluffy 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 director gives the floor, then the best students are invited to the stage to say words of gratitude. After the official part and presentation of diplomas, each graduate is given an album with photographs of classmates. As a rule, at the end of the formal part, all guests go home.
Graduation in Poland
Image source: kraj.by
S todniowka is the name of graduation in Poland. The traditional prom is held one hundred days before graduation. It begins with a polonaise, and the first couple in the polonaise is the headmaster of the school with a graduate or alumnae. This is followed by the official part with the presentation of diplomas and welcoming words.
