This past Friday was the 87
th anniversary of the University of
Tartu as an Estonian Institution. Full of tradition and celebration, the university shut down at noon to commemorate. The president of Estonia visited... there was song... there was torch carrying and processions... there was dancing. Unfortunately, I did not attend it all (or understand it all probably), but I did enjoy parts and managed to snap a few photos of some of the highlights. Here are pictures of the torch-carrying ceremony on Friday when fraternities, university staff, and local businesses processed through town to the university main building where they were met with greetings by the university rector. An impressive site, as you can appreciate, even from my shoddy photography!
Another part of the festivities included an anniversary ball, the
Tartu Ülikooli Aastapäevaball. Unlike formal dances in the States, this one included fancy dress AND formal dancing with the dance card printed for all to preview ahead of time. Highlights included live orchestral music, a performance by a well-known choral sextet, fireworks, cake and cognac, and of course the
spectacle of everyone out for an evening of fun and dancing. I was no exception and enjoyed getting gussied up and breaking out my dancing shoes. My spirit did get caught up in the fantasy of the event; smiles didn't leave me the entire evening. It will remain a great memory of my time so far here in
Tartu. Apparently, the event has been captured by others better than by me, so perhaps pictures will be forthcoming. The community of
Tartu is rather small and everyone seems to be aware that I appeared at the ball (bit of a
Cinderella story, no?) -- apparently some of images, hopefully flattering, of me dancing were captured by the local TV station and aired the other night!
This past Friday was the 87th anniversary of the University of Tartu as an Estonian Institution. Full of tradition and celebration, the university shut down at noon to commemorate. The president of Estonia visited... there was song... there was torch carrying and processions... there was dancing. Unfortunately, I did not attend it all (or understand it all probably), but I did enjoy parts and managed to snap a few photos of some of the highlights. Here are pictures of the torch-carrying ceremony on Friday when fraternities, university staff, and local businesses processed through town to the university main building where they were met with greetings by the university rector. An impressive site, as you can appreciate, even from my shoddy photography!
Another part of the festivities included an anniversary ball, the Tartu Ülikooli Aastapäevaball. Unlike formal dances in the States, this one included fancy dress AND formal dancing with the dance card printed for all to preview ahead of time. Highlights included live orchestral music, a performance by a well-known choral sextet, fireworks, cake and cognac, and of course the spectacle of everyone out for an evening of fun and dancing. I was no exception and enjoyed getting gussied up and breaking out my dancing shoes. My spirit did get caught up in the fantasy of the event; smiles didn't leave me the entire evening. It will remain a great memory of my time so far here in Tartu. Apparently, the event has been captured by others better than by me, so perhaps pictures will be forthcoming. The community of Tartu is rather small and everyone seems to be aware that I appeared at the ball (bit of a Cinderella story, no?) -- apparently some of images, hopefully flattering, of me dancing were captured by the local TV station and aired the other night!
1 comment:
now I can see your blog again Jenn. It looks cold there. What time of day were the pictures taken? 2 pm?;) A beautiful, magical display of tradition I'm sure. Your friend, Jeff M
Post a Comment