200 years of spring songs at the castle
An extra large anniversary choir with 120 singers, including both active and former active members, greeted the spring in the castle grounds.
200 years ago, the tradition of greeting the spring with song started in the castle grounds in Uppsala. This was celebrated by Allmänna Sången, the oldest academic choir in the Nordic region, at this year's Walpurgis Ball at Uppsala Castle.
This year’s Walpurgis Ball was particularly festive as it marked the 200th anniversary of the spring-greeting tradition. notes Mica Håll, one of the choir members.
“We had an extra large anniversary choir with 120 singers, including both active and former active members. Normally there are 48 of us, so a special rehearsal was required. It was really fun, just a great evening!”
It was in 1822 that Arrhén von Kapfelman wrote 'Spring Song', better known as 'Spring is Here’, to be performed at the Walpurgis celebrations on Castle Hill in 1823. And that is how choral singing became an integral part of Uppsala residents’ celebration of spring.
Celebrating with a ball at the castle
The tradition was then taken over by Allmänna sången, which has celebrated the arrival of spring with a ball at the castle for many years now. The choir will sing spring songs at the Gunilla Bell at 21:00, and all Uppsala residents are welcome. This year, an unusually large number of people turned up to listen to songs such as 'Spring is Here' and 'Happy as a Bird'.
As usual, all student nations and students’ unions were represented with flags and standards and the Curator Curatorum (President of the Curators Committee) gave a speech.
What does this tradition mean to all of you in the choir?
“It’s very special for us, partly because we are part of an old tradition but also because it connects different generations and singers with Uppsala’s residents,” says Håll.
The spring concert has been broadcast on Swedish Radio since 1926, and this year will be no exception. The spring greeting celebrations are a collaboration between Allmänna Sången, the Curators Committee, Uppsala Municipality and Swedish Radio.
Annica Hulth
Allmänna sången
- The oldest academic choir in Scandinavia, founded in 1830. During its early years, the choir laid the foundation for many student traditions still alive in Uppsala.
- In 1963 Allmänna Sången, then a male voice choir, was remade a mixed ensemble and has since developed into one of Sweden's best regarded mixed choirs.
- The choir can be heard at several regular performances throughout the year, such as the traditional spring concert or the Christmas concert at Uppsala Castle.