Studniówka
Encyclopedia
Studniówka is a traditional ball
for final grade high school
(liceum
or technikum) students (i.e. aged 18–20) in Poland
, analogous to senior prom
in the United States
. It is held approximately a hundred days before the matura, or final exam; hence its name, which is a Polish
noun formed from the adjective studniowy, meaning "hundred-day" (compare sto dni, "a hundred days").
The ball is usually organized by parents who also pay most of the costs. The choice of venue depends mostly on the funds – it may be the school gym, but also an expensive hotel, or even a palace or castle. The ball is attended by students and their dates, teachers, and – sometimes – parents.
The attire is formal; this means suits with necktie
s (not tuxedos) for boys, and evening dress
es for girls. Additionally, girls may don red lingerie
underneath, which is believed to bring good luck at the exams; boys may also wear red underpants
, but this is less common.
Studniówka customarily starts with a dinner, usually followed by a toast with champagne. This is normally the first occasion when students and their teachers officially drink alcohol together.
The first dance is almost invariably a polonaise
, which students usually have to practice before the ball, followed by more modern dances. A popular competition during the party is a contest for the one who can dance longest holding his partner in the arms. During this contest, the tiniest girls around are particularly popular with boys.
Apart from the red underwear, the ball may be associated with many other superstitious practices, such as jumping on one leg around a monument – all of which are supposed to help students pass their matura.
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
for final grade high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(liceum
Lyceum
The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies between countries; usually it is a type of secondary school.-History:...
or technikum) students (i.e. aged 18–20) in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, analogous to senior prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is held approximately a hundred days before the matura, or final exam; hence its name, which is a Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
noun formed from the adjective studniowy, meaning "hundred-day" (compare sto dni, "a hundred days").
The ball is usually organized by parents who also pay most of the costs. The choice of venue depends mostly on the funds – it may be the school gym, but also an expensive hotel, or even a palace or castle. The ball is attended by students and their dates, teachers, and – sometimes – parents.
The attire is formal; this means suits with necktie
Necktie
A necktie is a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck or shoulders, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Variants include the ascot tie, bow tie, bolo tie, and the clip-on tie. The modern necktie, ascot, and bow tie are descended from the cravat. Neck...
s (not tuxedos) for boys, and evening dress
Evening dress
Evening dress may refer to:* White tie, the most formal civilian dress code in Western fashion* Black tie, a semi-formal dress code for evening events and social functions in Western fashion...
es for girls. Additionally, girls may don red lingerie
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
underneath, which is believed to bring good luck at the exams; boys may also wear red underpants
Underpants
-Boxer shorts:Boxer shorts, or simply boxers, have an elasticated waistband that is at or near the wearer's waist, while the leg sections are fairly loose and extend to the mid-thigh. There is usually a fly, either with or without buttons...
, but this is less common.
Studniówka customarily starts with a dinner, usually followed by a toast with champagne. This is normally the first occasion when students and their teachers officially drink alcohol together.
The first dance is almost invariably a polonaise
Polonaise
The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....
, which students usually have to practice before the ball, followed by more modern dances. A popular competition during the party is a contest for the one who can dance longest holding his partner in the arms. During this contest, the tiniest girls around are particularly popular with boys.
Apart from the red underwear, the ball may be associated with many other superstitious practices, such as jumping on one leg around a monument – all of which are supposed to help students pass their matura.
External links
- 2 LO w Głogowie, a small gallery of pictures taken at a typical studniówka in a GłogówGlogówGłogów is a town in southwestern Poland. It is the county seat of Głogów County, in Lower Silesian Voivodeship , and was previously in Legnica Voivodeship . It is also the administrative seat of Gmina Głogów, although it is not part of its territory...
high school. Note students and teachers dancing polonaise, as well as girls showing off their red garters.