Walpurgis Night is one of the year鈥檚 major festivals for Swedish students. And Link枚ping is no exception. What鈥檚 more, this year is the 50th anniversary of Link枚ping University鈥檚 Male Voice Choir singing in the spring at Borgg氓rden, Link枚ping castle, for the first time. Back then, a group of young men in black college jumpers and student hats stood on the back of a truck before an audience of ten or so academics. Legend has it that the county governor鈥檚 chauffeur, Per Eckerberg, became the first to 鈥済ive a speech鈥� at the ceremony, when he opened a window and asked the choir to be quiet, since the county governor was taking an after-lunch nap.
After two years of the pandemic and remote education, it鈥檚 now finally time to truly celebrate Walpurgis Night. The festivities start at 14:00, when the student orchestra LiTHe Bl氓s kicks off with music, beginning at Stora Torget, and working their way through Lilla Torget, Tr盲dg氓rdstorget, Sankt Larsgatan and Linn茅gatan via Tr盲dg氓rdsf枚reningen eventually reaching Borgg氓rden.
The concert will include traditional spring-themed songs from the Male Voice Choir celebrating its 50th anniversary, a hat-donning ceremony and speeches.
Spring speech by the speaker
Photo credit Anna NilsenThis year鈥檚 anniversary spring speaker is the speaker of the Swedish parliament, Andreas Norl茅n. Norl茅n has a background as a LiU student of commercial and business law. He took his doctorate in 2004, and was recognised with Alumnus of the Year 2019. He has lived in the 脰sterg枚tland region for several years.
This years鈥� student union spring speaker is Beatrice Ronsten, union president for LinTek, the union for students at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She has lived in Link枚ping since 2017, and studies an MSc in Energy, Environment and Management.
Translated by Benjamin Davies
