Traditions

Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) has cultivated a rich variety of traditions over the years, encompassing both various student activities and long-standing university customs. Traditions have evolved over time, making room for new activities as well. These cultural events are cherished by both students and staff, and many of the traditions are well recognized not only by the residents of Jelgava but also by people across Latvia.

MATRICULATION CEREMONY

Each academic year at LBTU begins with a significant university tradition – the matriculation ceremony – during which first-year students are ceremoniously welcomed into the larger student community. In the courtyard of Jelgava Palace, the new students honor their Alma Mater, affirming that knowledge is a person’s most valuable treasure. The student anthem “Gaudeamus Igitur” is sung, symbolically marking the beginning of true student life in Jelgava for the freshmen.

Since 1971, the palace of knowledge has been surrounded by trees planted by first-year students on their first day of studies, serving as a reminder to current students that the roots of knowledge grow deeper and stronger each year. A time capsule placed beneath the tree roots holds a testimony of that time, always emphasizing pride in the university, a commitment to study well, to uphold the university’s honor, and expressing hope that the tree will serve as a gathering point for reunions of fellow students. In 2012, students began a new tradition – paving the Academic Path, continuing the symbolic legacy. Every year, a 30x30 cm paving stone marked with the year is laid in the pedestrian path of the palace.

AZEMITOLOGIST FESTIVAL

With joy and enthusiasm for joining the LBTU student family, all faculty students gather in the courtyard of Jelgava Palace at the start of October in a celebration even more vibrant than the autumn-tinted treetops.

The Azemitologist Festival affirms belonging, love, and loyalty to a place, its people, and traditions – jointly created, shaped, and preserved. In the fall of 1968, the then-first-year students were addressed for the first time by His Excellency, the patron of our university – the Azemitologist. Since then, every year, the symbolic figure of all LBTU specializations – the wise man of knowledge, the Azemitologist – greets the first-year students and formally includes them in the university's student body. This is a celebration of student spirit, unity, wisdom, wit, and joy. The Azemitologist Festival is a festivity of belonging, patriotism, friendship, pride, and happiness for our Alma Mater.

The event begins with the arrival of first-year students in the courtyard, followed by the Azemitologist’s appearance, an address to the freshmen, and then the festivities begin – performances prepared by the new students based on an annually changing motto.

OPEN DOORS FESTIVAL "FEEL #LABITEU"

The Open Doors Festival “Feel #LaBiTeU”, organized by the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), is a unique opportunity for all future students to explore the university in May, get to know its study directions, and participate in a variety of educational and entertaining activities. The festival is open to anyone of any age planning their professional career.

During the festival, the courtyard of Jelgava Palace becomes a place to explore the fields of biosciences, engineering, and social sciences, engage in contests and workshops, meet students and academic staff, and ask questions to the experts. Prospective students can also visit faculty booths in the palace courtyard to meet faculty representatives. Those with questions about admissions, required documents, entrance competition scores, or exams can consult admission specialists on-site.

LBTU AT THE "SCHOOL" EXHIBITION

Each year in Riga, Ķīpsala hosts the annual education exhibition "Skola", where visitors can learn detailed information about each of LBTU’s study programs, meet university ambassadors already studying in Jelgava, and find out everything related to the admission process.

CAMPAIGN "HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT – STUDENT'S SHADOW"

Traditionally in the spring semester, high school students are invited to participate in LBTU’s campaign “High School Student – Student’s Shadow” to get a firsthand experience of the university environment, meet academic staff, and see what student life is like. High schoolers can attend lectures and practical classes, tour classrooms, laboratories, and student dormitories, and become students for a day.

RELAY RACE "TORCH"

To launch the university’s celebration of the patriotic month, the traditional relay race “Torch” is organized annually. This historic tradition was initiated by LBTU academic staff member Edvīns Feldmanis on November 17, 1971, and is now continued by the LBTU Sports Center together with the most athletic and fastest students. The relay’s purpose is to honor the patriots of both the university and Latvia.

The race starts and ends in the middle of Jelgava Palace courtyard, forming a loop around the west wing. Each participant runs one loop while holding a lit flashlight and following a course marked with ribbons and cones. In the designated exchange zone, the flashlight is passed to the next runner.

RELAY RACE “... A STUDENT ROAMS THROUGH JELGAVA”

The freshman relay race “… A Student Roams Through Jelgava” was first held on September 18, 2013, in honor of LBTU’s 150th anniversary. First-year students from all faculties form teams to participate. Each faculty is represented by three young men and three young women, dressed in “student style” – jacket, umbrella, and book in hand – crossing the Mītava Bridge from Pasta Island and finishing by the sculpture “Jelgava Student”. Each team member runs a relay leg approximately 150 meters long.

The race is inspired by the sculpture “Jelgava Student”, unveiled on September 2, 2013, near the Mītava Bridge. Sculpted by Kārlis Īle, the statue depicts a student with a jacket, umbrella, and book in hand. The bronze sculpture stands 2.25 meters tall and weighs about 450 kg. It shows the symbolic student stepping in steel puddles, with water flowing from the umbrella. The artist named the sculpture Jēkabs Ceriņš. The umbrella’s handle is believed to have special power – if you make a wish and touch it, it will come true.

LBTU FACULTY DAYS

Every April, before the spring semester exams, midterms, and thesis defenses, the LBTU Faculties celebrate Faculty Days, during which students demonstrate their unity, sense of community, and belonging to their faculty and field. Generations of students have celebrated these traditions, including Porridge Day, Mech Day, Forest Day, Agronomist Day, and more – traditions fondly remembered by alumni long after graduation.

RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT

At the end of September, LBTU invites the public to take part in an exciting European Researchers’ Night journey, where university researchers present innovative discoveries and reveal scientific secrets large and small. Visitors can explore various locations in Jelgava, visit laboratories where science is born, and even contribute to science by participating in experiments.

STUDENT FESTIVAL CONCERT IN HONOUR OF LATVIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY

To commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, LBTU hosts a festive concert in the Aula. The stage is graced by the university’s artistic groups, including the women’s choir “Liepa,” the men’s choir “Ozols,” the folk dance ensemble “Kalve,” the student theatre, the contemporary dance group, and solo performers. The concert is a heartfelt tribute from students and staff to their homeland, highlighting the values of national pride, unity, and creative spirit.

LBTU CHRISTMAS BALL

The LBTU Christmas Ball is a long-standing and prestigious tradition, held annually in December in the majestic Jelgava Palace. It brings together students, alumni, academic staff, business partners, and guests in a festive atmosphere full of elegance and joy.

The ball features performances by opera soloists, student choirs and ensembles, Jelgava’s Big Band, and popular musicians. A formal ball dance program, ceremonial Christmas tree lighting, themed rooms, interactive games, creative workshops, and surprise performances fill the evening with holiday spirit. Formal attire is required for this magical celebration of unity and tradition.

LBTU STUDENTS' GOVERNMENT "ANNUAL AWARD"

The "Annual Award" is a tradition established by the LBTU Student Government in 2005, which honors and highlights university-affiliated individuals, departments and events that have made a significant contribution to the university and its students during the year. The LBTU "Annual Award" presentation ceremony is a heartfelt event that unites students and staff.

CHORAL CONCERT "SONG FESTIVAL IN METEŅOS"

The choral concert "Song Festival in Meteņos", in which the host of the event and the conductor of the LBTU male choir "Ozols" Guntis Galiņš welcomes male, female and mixed choirs from all over Latvia. Meteņos traditionally marks the beginning of spring and the idea for such a festival at LBTU began in 2016.

FRIENDSHIP CONCERT "POLKA PILĪ" - TDA "KALVE" AND THEIR FRIENDS

LBTU folk dance ensemble "Kalve" together with friends from several Latvian cities invites you to the traditional friendship concert "Polka PilĪ", which takes place annually in spring. The goal of "Polka PilĪ" is to meet annually not only to share the joy of dance and honor dance traditions, but also to introduce Jelgava residents and city guests to the largest baroque pearl in the Baltics - Jelgava Palace.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AT LBTU

Every year in May, LBTU in Jelgava brings together Latvian and foreign scientists, industry specialists, and policymakers, both in person and online, to share the latest research findings and discuss future activities in economics, social and personal development, education, food science, rural development, and engineering sciences within the framework of several international conferences.

HONORING DOCTORS OF SCIENCE

During the Winter Solstice, new doctors of science and their doctoral supervisors are honored at the ceremonial meeting of the LBTU Convention. The honoring of new doctors of science symbolizes the ceremonial conclusion of doctoral studies and the acquisition of the highest scientific degree. The LBTU management presents the doctoral degree recipients with a certificate of obtaining a doctoral degree and the LBTU Doctor of Science scarf, which confirms the status of the young scientist.