Graduation
Ballagás — the leavers' farewell walk through their school
The ballagás tradition
Graduation (ballagás, the leavers' farewell walk) is one of the finest and most moving traditions of Hungarian school life: the leavers walk through the corridors of their school one last time, while the younger pupils see them off with flowers and tearful eyes.
The word “ballagnék” evokes wandering and setting out on a journey: the leavers are now setting out towards adult life. The ceremony is usually held at the end of May, a few weeks before the baccalaureate (érettségi).
At Bolyai Farkas Theoretical High School, ballagás is a celebration for the whole school community: teachers, parents, and older and younger pupils all take part in the farewell ceremony.
The last walk
The leavers walk through the school's corridors and classrooms one last time
Flowers and tears
The younger year groups say goodbye to the leavers with flowers and songs
Farewell songs
Traditional ballagás songs — “Elmegyek, elmegyek...” (“I am leaving, I am leaving...”) — with musical accompaniment
The teachers' farewell
The teachers bid their pupils goodbye one last time, with words to remember and gifts
How the day unfolds
Gathering in the school courtyard
The leavers line up class by class, accompanied by their teachers
Great Hall — farewell speeches
Farewell speeches by the head teacher, form teachers and pupils; presentation of the class tableaux (tablók)
The farewell procession
Class by class, the leavers walk through every corridor and classroom — amid showers of flowers and singing
The teachers' farewell
In every classroom the teachers bid their pupils goodbye one last time
Closing ceremony in the courtyard
A group photo, memories and farewell music from the school band