Corporation (university) - Latvia

Latvia

Corporations in Latvia follow traditions similar to those in Germany, however "foxes" (first year members) do not wear colours, but a black cap instead with a circinus stitched to it usually made of silver. Although there are some differences, tradition of the Baltic, to include Latvian corporations is still based on 1812th Jena rules. The Baltic branch of German tradition is distinct to Latvian, Estonian, Polish and some German corporations founded at universities of Tartu and Riga. Their umbrella organizations maintain reciprocal links. Umbrella organization for Latvian student corporations is P!K! (Presidium Convent)and for female corporations S!P!K!

Latvian student corporations are closed, lifelong organizations and strictly wear 3 colours. During the Soviet occupation corporations were prohibited but they continued to work abroad, among the Latvian refugees in countries like USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Germany. In Latvia corporations renewed operation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The first Latvian corporation, Lettonia was founded in 1870 at the University of Tartu (then Dorpat). It combined beer, commercium songs, and academic fencing traditions of German corporations with Latvian nationalism and a strong emphasis on Latvian culture. First Latvian corporation in Riga was Selonija, founded in 1880 at the Riga Polytechnicum. The first women's corporation, Daugaviete, was founded in 1921 at the University of Latvia. As of 2004, Latvia has 23 male and 12 female corporations, with about 10,000 members in total.

Active student corporations in Latvia:

• Lettonia, http://www.lettonia.lv/, founded in Tartu February 19, 1870.
• Fraternitas Arctica, http://www.arctica.lv/, Russian minority corporation, founded in Riga November 7, 1880.
• Selonija founded in Riga November 24, 1880.
• Lettgallia founded in Tartu February 8, 1899.
• Talavija founded in Riga December 14, 1900.
• Fraternitas Lettica founded in Moscow October 20, 1902.
• Latvia founded in Tartu February 17, 1917.
• Ventonia founded in Tartu November 21, 1917.
• Tervetia, http://www.tervetia.lv/, founded in Riga April 30, 1922.
• Beveronija founded in Riga May 4, 1922.
• Philyronia founded in Liepaia (Libau) July 7, 1924.
• Fraternitas Metropolitana founded in Riga October 6, 1924.
• Fraternitas Vesthardiana founded in Riga October 8, 1924.
• Fraternitas Academica founded in Riga February 4, 1925.
• Fraternitas Lataviensis founded in Riga September 16, 1926.
• Patria founded in Riga September 20, 1926.
• Fraternitas Livonica founded in Riga October 29, 1926.
• Vendia founded in Riga March 20, 1927.
• Lacuania founded in Riga December 7, 1927.
• Fraternitas Imantica founded in Pinneberg February 18, 1947.
• Gersicania founded in Pinneberg March 14, 1947.
• Fraternitas Cursica founded in Pinneberg May 7, 1947.
• Fraternitas Vanenica founded in Munich June 20, 1947.