Juwenalia is a tradition celebrated all over Poland. The most famous Juwenalia celebrations occur in Krakow. What is Juwenalia and what can visitors expect from the Juwenalia event?
Festival of Students
Juwenalia celebrates a city's students. This event usually occurs towards the beginning of summer (May or early June). It is a time for students to let loose, take over the city, and have fun. Parades mark the occasion and costumed individuals roam the streets. Students are also given the keys to the city, a
Polish tradition that dates back to medieval Krakow. And, of course, Juwenalia is an excuse to party!
Juwenalia in Krakow
Though cities throughout Poland recognize their students with Juwenalia, Krakow, with its enormous student population and the famous Jagiellonian University, throws an equally large Juwenalia party. Concerts, games, parades, and other activities turn Krakow into a celebration zone.
Visiting Poland during Juwenalia
The dates for Juwenalia change every year, so you'll want to look ahead on your destination city's event calendar if you want to travel during Juwenalia (or, alternatively, avoid it).Additionally, different universities may organize their Juwenalia celebrations on different days. Though most of the festivities are free, large concerts and other events may require a ticket. Travelers who experience Juwenalia will see surprising antics and costumed characters. Whether or not you're a student, Juwenalia is an entertaining time.
Some universities or university departments have specific names for their Juwenalia festival. For example, Gdansk University, in recognition of the city's relationship with the sea, is called Neptunalia. Economy departments and academies call their Juwenalia celebrations Ekonomalia. Technological institutions call it Technikalia. These different names indicate a pride in university traditions and the sense of fun that Juwenalia embodies.
History of Juwenalia
Juwenalia was begun in the 1950s, but it was banned from 1977 to 1988 by government officials due to the holiday taking a political turn. However, the tradition of Juwenalia has a much longer history. Since the Middle Ages, student carnivals were a part of city life. And some sources say that Juwenalia even took its inspiration from Roman emperors' January 1st feasts. Today, however, Juwenalia is a completely modern affair and serves as a way for students to relieve stress before summer exams and spend time with their friends.
