Graduation Ceremony of the Faculty of Law












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            * Graduation Ceremony of the Faculty of Law
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            On a cold morning in April, I had the opportunity to experience a traditional Czech gradua

            ('promoce') in the historical building of Karolinum. The students in this ceremony were gr
            Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague, having obtained a masters degree.
            Graduation ceremonies are traditionally held in the main auditorium of the building, which

            the 1940s. The room is beautiful and suited to special occasions such as this. At the fron
            tapestry showing Charles IV, the founder of Charles University, kneeling before Prince Wen
            image can also be found on the university seal). To the left, there is also a bronze statu

            Charles IV.
            There are two rooms off from this main hall that are not usually seen by the guests. One i

            academics and important administrative staff from the faculty and the university get ready
            ceremonial dress is worn by the people in this room (although surprisingly – at least for 
            worn by the students) and their job in the ceremony is shown by which style and colour of 

            Most of the staff wear plain black gowns.
            The other room is for the students who are graduating. This is where they prepare themselv
            to enter the main hall. In this room there is a mirror with the Latin inscription 'spondeo

            over it where the pupils can practice the promise they will soon be making to the universi
            the students do not wear the graduation gowns that are seen at many ceremonies, they all l
            suits and dresses.

            The ceremony starts with the students and staff parading into the room in pairs. Everybody
            organ music fills the room, playing the Czech national anthem and the traditional Gaudeamu
            are also played later on in the ceremony. As it soon becomes apparent, Latin is used quite

            presumably in keeping with the traditions of such a historical university.
            Graduations are held throughout the year and usually around twenty to thirty students grad
            ceremony. The students are able to bring whomever they want at no cost. At the front of th

            to where the students line up, there is a small area for close friends and family to sit. 
            the guests sit further back and anybody is welcome to take a seat. There are flashes and c
            from all directions; this is definitely a very proud moment for many people and they make 

            documented.
            After everybody has entered the room and the students are lined up at the front, the vice-
            faculty which helds the graduation introduces each student and they step forward in turn t

            the vice-rector, who must give his agreement that the students can graduate. After the int
            vice-rector states how delighted he is to hear that they have met the requirements and acc
            When they graduate, the students must promise faithfulness to the university and to carry 

            traditions. The promise is read out in Latin and the students step forward and state “spon
            - meaning I promise / I pledge. There are two important objects called žezlo in the ceremo
            maybe best described as 'sceptres'. These are ornamental rods, one representing the facult

            representing the university. When the students make their promise, they place two fingers 
            taking the pledge and receiving the diploma, the students are now bound to the university.
            The diploma they receive is on hand made paper with the seal of the university and is pres

            I was lucky enough to be able to inspect one of these later on and unsurprisingly, a lot o
            in Latin. The details of the student and dates of their studies are stated and there is a 
            the subjects they have passed and the grades they achieved for each.

            After the diplomas are received, one of the students steps to the front to give a speech. 
            to various people including family, friends and the staff from the university. The student
            speech speaks with pride about the faculty and its origins and traditions. The Faculty of 

            of four faculties that have been in existence since the founding of Charles University in 
            therefore held in high regard. This is clear throughout the whole ceremony.
            After the speech, the academics shake the hands and congratulate each of the students in t

            parade out of the room. After the official ceremony, the students filter out and are greet
            ones with flowers and cards. Many more pictures are taken and it is traditional for the st
            families to go out for a 'graduation lunch' afterwards.

            It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to experience first-hand a typical graduation ce
            Charles University. Although traditions may vary between universities and countries, it is
            sense of pride and achievement from both the students and their families is the same every

            If anyone would like to visit a graduation ceremony in Karolinum themselves, it’s certainl
            graduation ceremonies are usually open to the public. The overview of the planned graduati
            available at the Information System [ URL "https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/promoce/index.ph