Projeckt Koĝeny (Roots)
In the Czech Republic there is a tradition concerning a leaving examination. This tradition is called Graduated ball. This ball is organized by the whole class of leaving exam students. The graduated balls are usually since January to the beginning of April. The places, where balls také place depend on the class. Mostly it is a culture house, a theatre or a bigger club. The students have to get the money they need for the ball.
Usually the class has an account and every year they give there some money. But the major part of their finance is money from sponsors. The money is used for hiring the hall, a moderator, band, sashes, flowers and culture programs. How the ball will look like or in which style the ball will be, depends on the students. But there are some points in which the balls are the same.
Let's look at the ball of our students. The ball of the class G4 was in the theatre in Chomutov, 21st January 2005. The theatre was full of the students, students´ parents, friends and teachers . Sometime before the ball the students had dinner with their class teacher. In the beginning we could see the dancing introduction of pre school majorettes. After this introduction, the most important part of graduated ball came, it is the gala entrance. The students learnt it in their free time, they hired a tutor and she or he learnt them the choerography. The students had learned this choreography since autumn. When the students finished the dancing, they got the sashes. The sashes are usually chosen by students and on it there is a sign [e.g. the graduator 2005]. The class teacher gives the sashes to the students and the director or the vice gives them a flower. During the time, when the students are coming for the sashes the moderator speaks about the students, e.g. their hobbies, favorite subjects, meal, music and so. And friends or parents throw some coins on them. During this ceremony, at some balls, female students get also a crown into their hair In the end, the class teacher also gets a sash and a present from the class. Than the class make a toast and a student say a few words and the thanks to the teachers and the parents. Usually the class teacher and the director say a couple of words, too. After this ceremony the students dance with teachers and then with their parents. Then entertainment is free, usually in the program there are some shows but mostly the band plays and the people dance. During this time you can buy a ticket to lottery. The prizes are mostly presents from sponsors. Midnight is another very important time, because the students take off the sashes, they dance and wave with the sashes. At midnight the midnight´s surprise comes,too. At this ball it was a famous group -Beatles revival. Then the entertainment is free. The end is around 2 in the morning. Sometimes the students go together to a pub.
Written by Dagmar Radová, Septima
