I'll be there the next few years
im also going to the graz academiker ball
and a ball in the Vienna Royal Ball palace in Austria
I became a member of the (German Tradition) Student Corps
It's a 155 yr old organisation for students
consists of a Corps in each University, basically a small group of friends who live by these traditions, seeking after etiquette, chivalry towards women, style, connections, academic success and fun.
Each corps has its own house. Some corps in Germany and Austria are obscenely wealthy and reside in huge castles, mine is a nice building but nothing crazy. In any event where members of different Corps meet they are required to wear their symbols, a ribbon with their colours and a flat hat in the same. Clothing in general is typically very dressy.
How this works is its a sliding system, they try and interest freshmen to join and those that do have to complete a series of tasks to do with the tradition and later they try and recruit people themselves. The graduates are still very involved and usually form the financial backbone of the organisation, funding the Corps.
In the German Corps Tradition one must have fought at least one swordfight before you are a full blown member. He must also study a detailed history and chronic of the organisation. Whenever there is disrespect between Corps settlements, it is settled in an organised swordfight between the three highest ranking members of each.
The style of swordfighting is unique to the organisation. Its a form of fencing with a sharp blade in which you can not move your feet. only your neck, eyes and nose are protected.
Typically Corps members practise fighting intensely three times a week. No serious chronic damage is usually done but bleeding and scars are common. Fights continue until one party surrenders.
There is a strong "take the call" principle, being a graduate member can go a long way in central european business.
Thats all the traditional and serious stuff, most of all its beer.
A few times a year we organise balldances and often we make trips to other Corps in which we just party a lot and exchange fighting tips and techniques.
The first mentioned events are usually attended by most members.
Also we do cultural things together like the theatre or such.
Basically, its a real big lot of baked air. But its fun!
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I can translate somewhat and ummm I have a portable DVD player for the flight there.
