Leuven University, KU Leuven, and student organisation umbrella LOKO are organising the 3-yearly ‘carillon cantus’ on 2 consecutive days on the Ladeuzeplein this year. Leuven University is the oldest university in the Low Countries, but also the oldest extant Roman Catholic university in the world. The carillon cantus is one of the biggest cantuses in the world. A cantus is a typical Belgian student tradition that involves singing traditional student songs and drinking often large quantities of beer.
Home News
Leuven University celebrates 600th anniversary with mega cantus for former students
Colin Clapson
Published:
Apart from a regular edition for today’s students a second mega cantus for former students is also being organised. Anybody who has ever graduated from Leuven University is invited to come along and sing student songs and drink ad fundums, when a glass of beer is drunk in one go.
Cantuses have been part of student life in Flanders for centuries. Students sing ‘Io Vivat!’ and other student songs with the codex, the book containing all the student songs, in the hand, while drinking often large quanities of beer. Every three years, Leuven also organises a mega cantus. ‘4,000 students can take part, because places come at a premium. The event is incredibly popular. The cantus is always sold out in a jiffy,’ explains KU Leuven’s Sigrid Somers. ‘I'm wondering if interest in the cantus for former students will be as great!’
20,000 litres of beer 'not a problem'
The mega cantus will be one of many activities this year to celebrate KU Leuven's 600th anniversary. Apart from serious activities, where the university's scientific mission is paramount, fun too is allowed.
‘We are giving former students the chance to reminisce about their student days and meet friends from the past. There is no age limit. So, no matter when you graduated, you are welcome. Registrations start on 20 January and occur via faculties and alumni associations. ‘This special edition of the carillon cantus is intended to tighten and strengthen the bond between our former students and their alma mater (i.e. the university),’ says Somers.
The carillon cantus, during which students sing songs to the tones of the university library's carillon, has existed in Leuven since the year 2000. For 4,000 students, 20,000 litres of beer are easily needed. The regular student cantus takes place on 14 May. The day after, there is the second outing, for former students. In spite of these times of online sales, the students wanted to sell physical tickets again this time. ‘It's a tradition that students line up for that in the evening. It's a wonderful unifying student activity,’ concludes Wouter De Block of student organisation umbrella LOKO.