The ceremony took place on 24 May and the flags on the roof of the main University building flapped against a clear blue sky. People had gathered in Lundagård park to watch the procession of women and men of academia, who silently and solemnly proceeded from the main University building to the Cathedral. Some audience members had set up chairs and beautifully laid tables to raise their glasses in celebration.
When the first cannon shot rang out, fired as usual by the Wendes artillery regiment, everyone jumped at the powerful blast that rattled the city centre.
During the ceremony in the Cathedral, each faculty was then honoured with a shot, each faculty’s jubilee doctors with a general shot, each honorary doctor with an individual shot and all the new doctors within a faculty with two shots.
After the degree conferment procedure, one of the new doctors, Elsa Hedling, PhD, held a solemn speech – an oration – to the University, after which Bishop Johan Tyrberg concluded the ceremony with a prayer in Latin.
The new doctoral graduates then returned in procession to the main University building, with rain clouds now threatening their hat- and wreath-covered heads. After a rambunctious group photograph session with rolled diplomas waved in the air, the evening continued as guests gathered for the ceremonial dinner.
