“Absolutely magical” – Vendela experienced the last day of April from Carolina’s balcony
When Uppsala’s traditional spring celebrations got into full swing, Vendela Norell was in a very special spot. She had won the Uppsala University Library competition, the prize for which was the chance to experience the last day of April from the balcony of Carolina Rediviva.
Photo: Private
Gathering on Carolinabacken at 3 pm on the last day of April and waving to the Vice-Chancellor and his guests on the balcony of Carolina Rediviva is one of Uppsala’s most traditional signs of spring. Up to 50,000 people usually gather on the hill for this festive occasion. This year, the University Library organised a competition for students at Uppsala University, with the prize being an invitation to the gathering and the chance to stand on the balcony and wave to the sea of people.
A friend told me about the competition. I’ve never celebrated Walpurgis in Uppsala before and I thought it sounded like fun. I never could have imagined I’d win, says Vendela, who brought her boyfriend Shad Hussein along.
Vendela lives in Lund, where she is studying for a Master’s degree in business law whilst also taking a distance-learning course in business studies at Uppsala University. If you want to celebrate the last day of April in style, Uppsala is definitely the place to go. What was it like standing on the balcony?
I had high expectations, but it was much better than I could ever have imagined! It’s so different from Lund, where it’s mostly students who are celebrating. Here, the whole town is celebrating, and it’s magical, says Vendela, summing up the experience.
Competition for students
By answering the question: “What does Uppsala University Library mean to you?”, students at Uppsala University were able to enter the competition, which was decided by a prize draw.
Here is a translation of Vendela’s entry:
For me, Uppsala University Library is more than just a place to study. It is where idea's grow, ambitions take shape, friendships are nurtured, and long hours of reading, studying, conversation and (sometimes) feelings of frustration and hopelessness give way to understanding. As a business student, the Library represents focus, curiosity and the feeling of being part of Uppsala’s long academic tradition. For me, it also represents continuity, because learning never ends – and hopefully neither will Uppsala University Library.