Welcome to the latest edition of my reflections on life in the Czech Republic. Recently, many people have asked me to talk about my first Czech prom experience. I think this is a great idea, and so without further delay, here are my thoughts on the tradition of Czech proms.
We have something in the US which we call a ‘prom,’ and so I thought that maybe a Czech prom would be similar to our own. Boy, was I wrong. In reality, the only similarity between a Czech prom and an American prom is…the name. A Czech prom is a strange and wonderful combination of an American prom, a graduation ceremony, and a giant party where the whole town can celebrate. There is—unfortunately—no equal in American culture.
American proms are typically only attended by students of the same grade. In my school, that meant 200 or so students all celebrating together. No parents, no teachers, no outsiders allowed. Don’t get me wrong, American proms are fun—it’s a night of dancing with people you grew up with, and a night all to yourselves. But there is something special about having an entire town there to celebrate. The sense of community makes everyone feel like they are part of something bigger. It’s a way for everyone, not just your classmates, to celebrate the end of one era and the beginning of another. It also makes for plenty of stories to tell afterwards.
In the US, graduation ceremonies are the time for everyone, including parents and teachers, to gather and celebrate the students who are finishing their studies. These events are usually very formal, with long and repetitive speeches. They’re usually held in large, crowded gymnasiums, with everyone packed together in chairs and listening to people say the same things over and over again. Most people can’t wait for them to finish so they can go home and celebrate properly as a family. A Czech prom is like a graduation ceremony, except instead of boring speeches and uncomfortable chairs, there is music and dancing all night. Instead of everyone wishing they could leave, they wish it could never end.
Finally, I’ve already known that Czechs are seasoned experts when it comes to celebrating. Even still, I remain awed at the ability of Czechs to enjoy life to the fullest. An American prom is lucky if it lasts until midnight. At a Czech prom, the real party starts at midnight. A Czech prom is a gigantic party that doesn’t stop until the sun rises the next day. What begins as a beautiful ceremony and celebration of achievement, ends as a gigantic celebration of life itself. My first Czech prom was an experience I won’t soon forget. More than anything, I can’t wait for the next.