Summer vacation is just around the corner. All the hard work is over – now it's time to relax. This is especially true for one particular group: students.
Graduation, in all its forms, is a major milestone and deserves a proper celebration. All graduates will surely agree on that.
Something special happens to Copenhagen's cityscape during the long weekend at the end of June. Young people take over parks and public spaces, wearing the unmistakable matroshka hats. Loud music, whistles, wild fun and lots of laughter.
Denmark is doing it exactly right.
But do you know how all these unique traditions and festivities originated? When and where did it all begin?
Hat regulations, horse-drawn carriage rides, home visits and much more – let's uncover all the secrets and history behind the traditions.
European traditions for graduation
It's only right to start where it all began – in the Middle Ages, around the 12th and 13th centuries. Long before it reached Denmark, and before we added our unique twist to the festivities, it all goes back to the first universities in Europe, which were founded in Bologna and Paris.
Universities were not merely schools back then; they were new institutions that needed prestige, structure, and a sense of identity. Rituals helped to mark a clear distinction between students and ordinary townspeople, and ceremonies strengthened the authority of both the church and the state. Academic robes, ceremonial staffs, and processions were not just about celebration – they were tools for creating order and tradition, signaling that education was something elite and worthy.
The traditions and customs have undergone many changes and transformations since the early days, but there are some elements that are considered fundamental:
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Hats and capes: The original academic dress originates from the Catholic Church and the style of the clergy. The hat is probably inspired by the biretta , which is a traditional hat often seen worn by cardinals today.
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Rolled diplomas: Actual proof of a degree, but they weren't part of the tradition from the start, only appearing much later. Originally, they were handwritten, often on very thin parchment and tied with a ribbon.
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Ceremonial maces: What would a medieval tradition be without the most medieval thing imaginable? Yes, ceremonial maces are exactly what they sound like. A heavy, decorated staff that symbolizes the university's authority.
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Pomp and Circumstance: A famous piece of music (also known as Land of Hope and Glory ) written in 1901. It was first played at a graduation ceremony in 1905 at Yale University. The rest, as they say, is history.
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Tossing graduation caps in the air: Perhaps the most famous tradition, but the fact is that it's not very old. It started in 1912 at the US Naval Academy.
But what about Denmark?
Danish graduation traditions & student guilds
Yes, it's all tied to the universities, but we do it a little differently here. Denmark, like almost all of Scandinavia, celebrates the student graduation with much greater enthusiasm.
Let's look at the history behind all the biggest traditions.
Student cap
The iconic student cap has been part of Danish tradition for over 150 years. Its roots go back to the Nordic student meetings in the 19th century, where Swedish and Norwegian students first gave us the idea with their nationally colored caps.
In the 1850s, Danish students began introducing their own versions. Originally, black caps were more common. For a short period, male students wore black caps, while white caps were reserved for female students. Over time, the white summer cap became the standard and gained popularity among language and mathematics students, until it eventually took over almost completely.
Today, there are 18 types of graduation caps, tailored to different fields of study and with personalized details.
Many hats are associated with rules, rituals, and a bit of mischief – all depending on the school and region:
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Write your grade from the final exam inside the hat.
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Collect signatures and messages from friends.
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Cut out shapes in the sweatband to mark important milestones:
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A "firkant" (square) = drinking an entire crate of beer in 24 hours.
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A triangle = being out until sunrise.
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One wave = swimming with a cap on.
Superstition also plays a role: wearing the cap before your final exam is considered bad luck.
Some schools follow their own traditions, from turning their caps backward after staying awake for 24 hours to chewing on each other's shadows or writing naughty messages inside sweatbands. Others award decorations for romantic exploits or risky behavior.
Classmates often measure head sizes as well – the largest and smallest head are usually "rewarded" with a case of beer at the graduation party.
Student transport
Then there's the student road trip – or more precisely, the truck trip. It's known as the student road trip and is one of the most anticipated events for all recent graduates.
After graduation, the students hop onto decorated pickup trucks and drive around their classmates' hometowns. Each stop brings cheers from family, hugs, snacks, and occasionally a shot. It's a road trip party where the music plays, the horns honk, and the streets pulsate with energy.
Everyone knows the scene. It's not just a celebration – it's a public declaration: we did it .
Along the route, families decorate their front yards and entrances to welcome the class, often with banners, flags, and personal messages. Honking and cheering are encouraged – some students even jump into fountains or canals along the way!
Galas & ceremonies before graduation
Before the festivities begin, most schools organize a formal event called a gala , our own version of a school prom. Here, students dress up, take photos, and often perform a traditional group dance called Les Lanciers . It's a wholesome, slightly awkward, but traditional warm-up before the real celebrations.
The cap is usually awarded after the final oral exam. Parents or teachers place it on the student's head while friends and family watch, followed by a small glass of wine or a serving of champagne and strawberries – a classic Danish combination.
Student Guild
Finally, there's the graduation party – the actual graduation celebration. It's held by the family (or sometimes friends) and is an intimate gathering where speeches are given, toasts are made, and the graduate is honored.
Here, the student has the opportunity to reflect, give thanks, and officially mark the end of their schooling. It's not as flashy as the trip in the truck, but it's the part that everyone remembers many years later.
Often, the party includes decorated tables, photos from the school years, one or two heartfelt toasts, and even an exhibition of the cap itself, especially if it has been thoroughly decorated and modified by classmates.
Traditions that are still strong.
As times change, so do traditions. The student cap was once worn for months or even years; now it's typically worn for only a couple of weeks. Where it once symbolized elite status, it now represents a shared experience.
Every decade, new rules emerge, passed down from class to class. But the core remains the same: celebration, identity, and a rite of passage wrapped in tradition, joy, and a lot of noise.
Whether you're in the park listening to whistles or waving to a truck full of screaming teenagers, remember – it all started with some ambitious students, a funny little cap, and a reason to celebrate.
