Students in Leuven, capital of Flemish Brabant, will be able to take part in a walking cantus at the start of the academic year for the first time. To mark the start of the new year, students will walk in procession from the station to the Oude Markt square whilst singing. A DJ and a student brass band will accompany the parade.
Cantus are drinking events organised by student fraternities in the Low Countries, France, Germany and the Baltics. They usually go hand in hand with the singing of drinking songs and the consumption of large quantities of beer. Here the walking sing-along is entirely alcohol-free. Liesbeth Vandermeeren, Leuven alderwoman for Student Affairs, says it is an original way to welcome students to Leuven.
Last year, the city introduced a new tradition at the start of the academic year: a festive procession of students. The students set off in a procession from the station to their halls of residence, walking accompanied by DJs and wheelie suitcases. This year, too, the typical stream of students walking from the station to their halls of residence serves as the inspiration, but this time for a walking sing-along.
On Thursday 24 September at 7 pm, students are invited to gather on the Martelarenplein outside the station. From there, they will set off along the Bondgenotenlaan towards the city centre singing, accompanied by a DJ, lead singers, a master of ceremonies and a student brass band. They will sing well-known classics and student hits.
Students help organise the event
Students from various fraternities and degree programmes are responsible for organising, planning and running the event themselves. “We have 60,000 students in our city, at least 40,000 live in student accommodation,” says Alderman Vandermeeren. “Students are an important part of our city.”
Vandermeeren emphasises the importance of student involvement. “We want to let them help shape the Student Welcome by co-organising the event. There’s also a message to the people of Leuven: the students are back. Welcome them warmly!”
Alcohol-free
The walking cantus will be entirely alcohol-free. “We’ve heard from the students themselves that it’s just as much fun without alcohol. It’s the cantus itself – the singing – that creates the atmosphere and fosters a sense of community,” Vandermeeren claims. No drinks will be provided during the walking procession.
After the walking cantus, the party on the Oude Markt, will continue until midnight with performances by Lennert Wolfs and Average Rob and many others.