Russ - History

History

The tradition goes back to the 18th century, at a time when no universities existed in Norway, and Norwegians would attend the University of Copenhagen to study alongside Danish students. Arriving at the university, students had to pass the Examen Artium in order to be enrolled. After completing their examinations, horns were placed on their foreheads and they were ridiculed by older students. When the results from the exams were ready, the students would participate in a ceremony called Examen Depositiones, in which they were called up to the examiner; if they had passed the test, their horns would be removed, as a sign of wisdom and subjugation of the wild animal within. From that point, the young persons had the right to call themselves students. Although all the children wear red and white overalls and caps.