Sitsit

Sitsit in Finnish or sits in Finland-Swedish, is a traditional academic student feast organised in some universities in Finland, particularly in Åbo Akademi, University of Turku, Helsinki University of Technology, University of Helsinki and Tampere University of Technology. They are also organised by a few non-academic organisations, such as the Turku Science Fiction Society. It also became a tradition in the german University of Göttingen.

The tradition probably shares roots with traditional student feast in other parts of Europe, including Commercium, Tableround and Cantus. The same tradition also exists in Swedish academic tradition, where it is known as a sittning or, with an older term, sexa. Much of the Finnish sitsit-culture has evolved in student contacts with Sweden, and many of the classic Swedish drinking songs are also sung in Swedish or in translated versions during Finnish-speaking sitsit.

The participants of sitsit sit around a table. During the feast a three-course meal is served. Depending on the occasion the meal may be simple or lavish. The proceedings are led by a master of ceremonies, whose responsibility is to uphold traditions and order songs, usually based on suggestions from the participants.

Group singing is an integral part of sitsit. The songs include numerous drinking songs, some with a common tune with new words. In more formal sitsit, academic and patriotic songs, such as De Brevitate Vitae, Finlandia Hymn and The Jäger March are sung. Many of the songs have words which are bawdy or mock political parties, certain nationalities or university teachers. It is customary to start with more formal songs and proceed to the bawdier ones as the party gets rowdier. Many songs have their own associated traditions. For example, a special song is sung while punsch is served.

After a snaps song has been finished, everyone raises their glasses and toast. Men toast to their right, then to their left, and finally to the person opposite, after which the glass is drank from or emptied fully, depending on tradition. Women toast the same way, except starting from their left. This requires equal number of men and women to be present and seated so that every man is surrounded by women and the other way around. As this is not always the case, there are several customs as to how to treat the exceptions.