"Ball"
understood as a formal dance or party.
These seem to be quite common here in the Czech Republic. Our exposure came from the school balls that are held in the middle of the winter, December and January. These school balls are something akin to "prom". ...but distant kin, for they are not quite the same. How are they
the same? It is their graduation ball. Other than that, different. I'll get to some pictures... and explain on the way.
That's right, it's their graduation ball. So it's a dressy affair.
Look, all lined up along the wall. ...afraid to dance?
Think again!
They're all trained in formal dancing and must begin the ball by demonstration. Notice, guy's wearing white gloves. Old school.
At this point I've thought it best to do this a little chronologically. This ball was a school Ball held in December. After the Dance we had a supper with the class and a small ceremony.
Here you can see some of the graduating class.
A couple of comments. Yes, that's beer and wine. We're not in America.
You may notice the mysterious stranger at the head of the table. No, that is not the "father of Satan" ...as one student said of me. Yeah, that's right. Some student upon meeting me said I look like the "father of Satan". How do you respond to that? Heidi upon hearing this began laughing uproariously. At first I thought to be offended... then I thought consuming young souls sounded interesting and might at least pay better than my current job. Then I thought, who would the father of Satan be? My theology tells me that would be God.
ok, that's going too far.
Back to the ball.
Below a young graduate gets knighted with a real sword as part of their pin ceremony.
So after this supper we went to another restaurant where the other half of the Senior class had their Pin Ceremony. Now I must say and fear that Heidi will try to edit this, but her students we're buying shots and bought her several I believe. Wish I had a picture of that!
pffffft..... "father of satan... "
Ok enough of this silliness. ...look, below is show and tell. I am refraining from my usually stirring entertainment and just giving you a vision of how their prom is... just take a look.
SECOND SCHOOL BALL
(this is the big one)
in January
Translation: 14th Maturation Ball Secondary School Moravske Budejovice
Below the students line up for a processional.
Now, different than a Prom, a good portion of the town comes too. Parents, grandparents... and people who just want to spend an evening dancing.
Ah, the processional is... ah, proceeding.
Now they actually line up and do some sort of dance.
Then the Girls had their moment. I believe this was the "Macerena"
Not to be out done, the Guys are next.
They danced to Micheal Jackson's "Thriller"
This guy, I believe, read a letter from Hana Svobodova. Hana is our exchange partner and technically this was her class, that is, she was their class teacher. So she had a letter read. I expect it was very nice, but my Czech isn't that good. Everyone cheered and applauded.
But since Hana S. had to go to America, they got another Hana. Below is Hana Grafova. She took over for the other Hana.
Below she greets and congratulates each student.
The Head Master, Standa, gives a speech. Little too much flash... or he is the whitest guy ever.
Then Standa comes down and toasts each graduate individually. Yes, it's real champagne.
Well, actually it's probably not French, but Russian.
Then the class toasts all their comrades.
Then People throw money. Yep, coins everywhere.
As you can see, some are busying themselves with this offering while others seem to think the bubbly is more interesting.
Then the band plays.
People start dancing.
Those who were toasting are now getting toasted.
Hana, the class teacher joins in. But I must say, she was pretty stressed out as she was working pretty hard all week preparing for the Ball. She deserves it.
This is Sergej, Hana's husband. I think he agrees with me.
Below, some of the other teachers. From left to right:
Illona, Jarka and Hana.
many many Hana's here
Heidi with a few of her students
Frank and Hana, his wife.
This is Zybnek. He seems happy.
Then the local dance troop came out and ...danced.
Hey, not sure there is much to add. I think the pic's speak for themselves. It was fun, a bit odd in that their traditions are quite different. Like students getting tanked at their graduation dance... which is six months before it happens. Hey, we're in the Czech Republic.
These seem to be quite common here in the Czech Republic. Our exposure came from the school balls that are held in the middle of the winter, December and January. These school balls are something akin to "prom". ...but distant kin, for they are not quite the same. How are they
the same? It is their graduation ball. Other than that, different. I'll get to some pictures... and explain on the way.
That's right, it's their graduation ball. So it's a dressy affair.
Look, all lined up along the wall. ...afraid to dance?Think again!
They're all trained in formal dancing and must begin the ball by demonstration. Notice, guy's wearing white gloves. Old school.At this point I've thought it best to do this a little chronologically. This ball was a school Ball held in December. After the Dance we had a supper with the class and a small ceremony.
Here you can see some of the graduating class.
A couple of comments. Yes, that's beer and wine. We're not in America.You may notice the mysterious stranger at the head of the table. No, that is not the "father of Satan" ...as one student said of me. Yeah, that's right. Some student upon meeting me said I look like the "father of Satan". How do you respond to that? Heidi upon hearing this began laughing uproariously. At first I thought to be offended... then I thought consuming young souls sounded interesting and might at least pay better than my current job. Then I thought, who would the father of Satan be? My theology tells me that would be God.
ok, that's going too far.
Back to the ball.
Below a young graduate gets knighted with a real sword as part of their pin ceremony.
So after this supper we went to another restaurant where the other half of the Senior class had their Pin Ceremony. Now I must say and fear that Heidi will try to edit this, but her students we're buying shots and bought her several I believe. Wish I had a picture of that!pffffft..... "father of satan... "
Ok enough of this silliness. ...look, below is show and tell. I am refraining from my usually stirring entertainment and just giving you a vision of how their prom is... just take a look.
SECOND SCHOOL BALL
(this is the big one)
in January
Translation: 14th Maturation Ball Secondary School Moravske BudejoviceBelow the students line up for a processional.
Now, different than a Prom, a good portion of the town comes too. Parents, grandparents... and people who just want to spend an evening dancing.
Ah, the processional is... ah, proceeding.
Now they actually line up and do some sort of dance.
Then the Girls had their moment. I believe this was the "Macerena"
Not to be out done, the Guys are next.They danced to Micheal Jackson's "Thriller"
This guy, I believe, read a letter from Hana Svobodova. Hana is our exchange partner and technically this was her class, that is, she was their class teacher. So she had a letter read. I expect it was very nice, but my Czech isn't that good. Everyone cheered and applauded.
But since Hana S. had to go to America, they got another Hana. Below is Hana Grafova. She took over for the other Hana.
Below she greets and congratulates each student.
The Head Master, Standa, gives a speech. Little too much flash... or he is the whitest guy ever.
Then Standa comes down and toasts each graduate individually. Yes, it's real champagne.Well, actually it's probably not French, but Russian.
Then the class toasts all their comrades.
Then People throw money. Yep, coins everywhere.As you can see, some are busying themselves with this offering while others seem to think the bubbly is more interesting.
Then the band plays.
People start dancing.
Those who were toasting are now getting toasted.
Hana, the class teacher joins in. But I must say, she was pretty stressed out as she was working pretty hard all week preparing for the Ball. She deserves it.
This is Sergej, Hana's husband. I think he agrees with me.
Below, some of the other teachers. From left to right:Illona, Jarka and Hana.
many many Hana's here
Heidi with a few of her students
Frank and Hana, his wife.
This is Zybnek. He seems happy.
Then the local dance troop came out and ...danced.
Hey, not sure there is much to add. I think the pic's speak for themselves. It was fun, a bit odd in that their traditions are quite different. Like students getting tanked at their graduation dance... which is six months before it happens. Hey, we're in the Czech Republic.
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