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Ceremony notable for a Rector speech that tied into the major political events of the World, Europe and Denmark. And 'Ralfies'
In his speech, Rector Ralf Hemmingsen focussed on the situation of migrants coming in to Europe – and delivered a thinly veiled criticism of Danish government policies.
At the traditional Matriculation ceremony new students, Danish and international, are welcomed to their university by the top management. The official part of the induction event features a welcoming speech by Rector, followed by him and his prorector and dean colleagues shaking the hand of students, who then file through the Ceremonial Hall.
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Friday, and there was no exception to these formalities.
Photo: David V. Schweiger
In his speech, Ralf Hemmingsen summarised the international news events of the last summer: “The Lion “Cecil” is no longer Lion King in the National Park in Zimbabwe. A dentist from Minnesota, USA, travelled 15.000 km. to Zimbabwe and payed 50.000 $ to shoot “Cecil” with an arrow. A woman from Eritrea doesn’t have a penny. She has to jump on a moving train in Calais going through the tunnel 50 K to the UK. The king of real estate, Donald Trump – the guy with the hair of a lion who owns the lion share of the city jungle – started his race to the top spot in America.”
Photo: David V. Schweiger
He then went on to talk about the refugee crisis. “People from Denmark escape the cold weather. People from Syria escape the war. They all meet on the same beach. In the crystal clear waters of a Greek island, both tourists and refugees drift on rubber boats but for different reasons.”
Later in the same speech Rector Ralf Hemmingsen contrasted the adverts of the Danish government and the University of Copenhagen.
“The Danish Government is also on a mission. It wants to put an ad in the paper informing Syrian refugees and the people who transport them about conditions in Denmark. Well, the University of Copenhagen already has ads in the paper, inviting bright young people from all over the world to join this university. And here you are!”
Photo: David V. Schweiger
After the official part of the event, students headed out into the Lindegården courtyard where they enjoyed beers and hotdogs, before heading over to a matriculation party at Studenterhuset, with music, beer and, as something new, chill-out areas.
The matriculation event was the object of intensive self-reporting from students and staff on Twitter:
Keeping up the good vibe by dancing in the rain. #ucph #kbhuni #immatrikulation pic.twitter.com/gFqMKNwmBu
— Jacob Ørum (@jporum) August 28, 2015
Especially as a downpour hit the square in Vor Frue Plads.
On Instagram, the Ceremonial Hall was the object of a more arty style of photo, as well as selfies and ‘Ralfies’, the now traditional photo with self and Rector Ralf Hemmingsen.
The Ceremonial Hall is hard to capture from the inside, but Kimberly Schuerenberg @kimberlyschuerenberg took this one:
For most the Matriculation Ceremony was a ceremony to pose with friends. Here below is our selection of students taking selfies. Photos below by David V. Schweiger:
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
Photo: David V. Schweiger
universitypost@adm.ku.dk
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