TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

12:19 AM
Posted by jodi rose

I've just experienced the Hungarian/Slovakian version of the OC deb ball. Even down to the sexy Seth type with two brunette princesses vying for his affections, and a solid Ryan with a buzzcut making smartass comments (I could tell from the laughter).

The lovely Mary invited me to come to her high school graduation night - and as she gets dragged out to translate at whatever event I need a translator for, thought this was the least I could do in return. The event is held in the Kulturhaz, with all the teachers, parents and students seated at tables in the hall; while other friends watch from the balcony. The graduating girls are dressed in their finest formal wear, boys in suits. During the actual ceremony, they stand on stage, arranged with the tallest in the middle, while official speeches are made by headmistress and master, a green ribbon is pinned to each student as their names are read out; to the strains of 'I believe I can fly' they file ceremoniously down the stairs to collect a glass of champagne, which they move around the room and toast all their guest with - then return to the stage. more speeches, mary gives the student reply speech, then they all reform into three groups around the microphones and sing what I swear sounds like a Hungarian drinking song. After this (and it's been almost an hour!) the singing and dancing take place, first a solo pianist, then the boys come out in black and are joined by the girls wearing short black skirts and singlets in a very sassy modern dance number to 'let's make love and dance the whole night long' - how sophisticated teenagers are these days :)
after that they change into casual outfits and enact a series of skits which evidently satirise various teachers (I can't understand the text, but the body language and intent is clear) and then the grand finale: ballroom dancing numbers. Everyone is back in their glossy shiny formal dresses by now - some favourites are the orange chiffon pantsuit ala mariah carey, one princess in satin and white tulle, another in stiff pale blue satin, very brave girl in a 50's kneehigh orange cocktail frock, half a dozen in shades of burgundy and claret; and one goth girl in a black sheath dress with silver front panel and cuffs, and chiffon sleeves - absolutely stunning! Back to the dancing, the couples pair up as they walk down off the stage, all very regal and poised - and dance a sedate ballroom number (not a waltz or tango!) with each other. The second song, they each grab a teacher and dance - afterwards presenting them with a yellow rose, and for the finale, bring one of their parents (of the opposite sex) out to dance, and give them a red rose - the girl sitting in front of me has been crying steadily throughout the evening, with friends passing her new tissuess. By the end I am also leaking the odd tear - all that youth, beauty, hope, translucent skin and chiffon - I would challenge anyone to remain unmoved. Anyway, it's a gorgeous evening, very different from the school formal and graduation I experienced. There's an old-world grace and courtesy between the students, their teachers and parents, which is incredibly charming.