Well, let's just say the only thing teachers told me about this day is that everyone would finish early and our last classes would be cancelled because there would be some performances by fourth year students in the school courtyard. That, my friends, was the biggest understatement of the year and I was totally unprepared when I arrived at school that Wednesday.
Fourth year students bombarded anyone who walked into the school courtyard, which was undoubtedly all students since this is the main entrance. Teachers who knew the tradition (which of course was everyone but me) used the side entrance to avoid all the chaos. Me? I got written on with markers on my hands and arms (though I did mention to avoid the face unlike most other students). There were students' names written on me as well as their official class. So many colors. Everyone looked ridiculous. As we turned the corner, some students sprayed us with disgusting smelling perfume or cologne. Lastly, some boys with water guns awaited their time to get us soaking wet! Some of us washed what we could off, while others just endured the embarrassment for the whole day. (Sorry, I totally forgot to take a picture of myself, but just imagine being drawn on all over by like, a three-year-old.)
Later on, everyone was released at noon and made their way to the courtyard. I can only explain the following events as a college fraternity/sorority initiation, possibly some hazing included. Fourth year students had programs created for the third year students who would soon take their place and become the head honchos at Gymnázium Strakonice.
The first class' initiation was by far my favorite. Students got sprayed with a water gun, then had to sled down some snow (the fourth year students bought snow from the ice stadium across town and had it delivered to school) and landed in a pool of water.
They were then knighted with a sword and had some type of candy shoved in their mouths.
Lastly, they were congratulated with confetti being thrown on them.
The next class had to do some relays, including passing a water bottle on a rope around their necks to the end of the line. The winners received gummy worms while the losers received real worms. They were supposed to all eat them, however, I'm pretty sure none of the losers did.
After the first two classes had gone, all of the teachers received flowers. The students provided all the teachers with a cup of wine as well and we gave the fourth year students a farewell toast.
The next class had a skit that was hilarious. First, their head teacher, Milena, walked out dressed like a queen. Her crown was made of underwear, she had an egg as her orb, a wooden spoon as her sceptre, and a blanket as her robe.
The rest of the fourth years completed a skit with one boy dressed as a female teacher. There were many laughs, however, I didn't understand much since it was in Czech.
Then, they had the initiates dress their head teacher, Tomaš, as a woman. He played the part very well.
Lastly, the initiates each received an egg and had to smash it on their foreheads.
The initiates weren't so happy about it.
The last class held a basketball match between the fourth and third year students using garbage cans as basketball hoops.
The third year students were at an unfair advantage-- they were never going to win.
The fourth years often cheated and had audience members help steal the ball from third years.
Afterward, the third year students received toilet-paper made sashes as a form of congratulations.
They also had some type of blue cake stuffed in their mouths.
After these two classes, teachers were again given flowers and wine and made a farewell toast to the fourth year students.
Throughout the year I've been able to witness many Czech traditions and ceremonies. Each one seems to shock me more and more. Nearly all of them would be banned in the U.S. Some of these traditions could even be seen as a form of bullying and/or hazing. Nevertheless, I've genuinely enjoyed learning about, and witnessing, Czech traditions and customs this past year.
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