The traditional Penkkarit festival originated in Helsinki and over time spread across the country
Penkkarit is a traditional "last bell" celebration on the eve of the cramming period for final exams. High school students in Tampere, central Finland, have fun in the beds of open trucks that drive through the city in a festive caravan.
Imagine a caravan of dozens of trucks slowly passing by, filled with young students in fancy dress costumes. They make noise and throw candies at the public on the sidewalk.
That is exactly what we see every year in Finnish cities on one February Thursday, when third-year (i.e., graduating) high school students finish their last classes and go on study leave until exams. The leave lasts 4-6 weeks, depending on the subjects chosen. But before cramming, they celebrate. The Finnish holiday "penkkarit," a prototype of the "Last Bell," is usually described as a "carnival."
The name penkkarit is a shortening of the Finnish penkinpainajaiset. Not entirely clear? Let's give a hint in the second official language – bänkskuddagillen. Well, there you have it – picture a bench (penkki, bänk), that's what the name refers to. It could be the bench of a school desk or a seat on a train leaving town for the study leave. Ultimately, it can be interpreted in different ways, but most would agree that it is first and foremost a celebration.
This tradition likely originated in Helsinki and over time spread across the country. No one knows exactly when this movement began, but probably no later than the early 20th century, or even earlier. At that time, people rode around town in horse-drawn sleighs. After World War II, a carnival atmosphere and candies were added to the ceremony.
Why is this such an important event? After all, school isn't over yet: final exams are still ahead.
It is an important milestone – one could even say it is a rite of passage. The upcoming exams still loom over them, but these kids – well, they're almost adults, aren't they? – will never have to sit in a school lesson again. They are 18 or 19 years old, and they have been waiting a long time for this day.
As the young men and women ride around town, laughing, shouting, and throwing candies, younger kids in the public scramble to pick up the sweets. Perhaps these children think: "Someday I'll be up there myself." Isn't that the secret of the famous Finnish school system – instilling enthusiasm in students from a very young age?
At the same time, a third of the students suddenly disappear from school. Without wasting time, the second-year high school students celebrate that they are now the new kings of the school. The next day, they hold an elegant ball for themselves and their parents.
This is Vanhojen tanssit, literally "Dance of the Old Ones," and this tradition is almost as old as penkkarit. The second-year high school students simply declare that among the students remaining at school, they are the seniors.
To emphasize the name of the ball, participants used to dress in old-fashioned dresses and suits; however, nowadays most dresses are more glittery and much brighter than people could have imagined when the tradition began.
Usually, the "old ones" rehearse for months, mastering the Viennese waltz, foxtrot, and other venerable dances, not to mention the tango, which holds a special place in Finnish hearts and culture. In addition, they may prepare a few traditional folk dances, and for the finale, many classes choreograph a routine to modern pop music. Parents come to watch and applaud, and the dances are followed by a lavish dinner.
All these celebrations – and the academic work, of course, don't forget that – are integral steps on the path to earning the white cap with a narrow black brim, called the "student cap." This hard-earned headgear means you have graduated from school – but that's another story. Because the celebration isn't over yet.