AGH UST Main Page » University » History and traditions » Celebrations » The mining festival of St Barbara’s Day – “Barbórka”
(Based on the article by professor Maciej Mazurkiewicz “Klika uwag o rodowodzie zwyczajów górniczych kultywowanych w naszym górnictwie” (English: A few words about the origins of the mining customs maintained in our mining industry)
In December 1919, the Mining Academy in Krakow hosted the first “Barbórka” with “a jump over the leather apron”, following the traditions that had originated in Loeben. The celebrations took place in the premises of Krakow’s “Grand Hotel”. The subsequent “Barbórka” festivities, until 1936, took place at the Old Theatre (Teatr Stary). “The jump over the leather apron” was participated in by all first-year students. Each of them had their own “godfather” who held the leather apron and later acted as a mentor throughout their period of study. A certain “novelty” of the festival was a miners’ ball (dance party) organised by university organisations. It was part of the mining festivities.
The new reality of 1945 brought a significant increase of student numbers. Therefore, it was no longer possible for each student to perform their “jump over the leather apron” during the celebrations.
During the Miner’s Day celebrations, the Loeben’s night parades taking place after the end of evening beer parties were replaced by:
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