Sittning

A sittning[a] is in Sweden and Finland a seated meal held within a set time frame.

The meal is prepared and served by students who often spend some time working at their union or nation.

The number of dishes vary, but three courses is common, and alcohol is usually included in the price (beer or cider and snaps along with punsch).

In some locations, such as Uppsala or Stockholm, it is common for a sittning to end with the song "O gamla klang och jubeltid".

In more formal sitsit, academic and patriotic songs, such as De Brevitate Vitae, Finlandia Hymn and the Jäger March are sung.

The sittning is usually guided by a toastmaster and often also by a sånganförare ('song master'; laulunjohtaja, 'song director' in Finnish).

The toastmaster keeps note of and introduces everyone who wants to perform something, communicates with the serving staff, and generally makes sure that the sittning runs smoothly.

Others recognize that the traditions in fact enhance the festivity of the sittning and adhere to them rigorously.