Traditions of Students' Life

    Faculty of Physics at Moscow State University is well-known in Russia and beyond its borders not only for its excellent research and education, but for traditions of students' life, as well.

    One of these traditions, dating back in 50th years of the last century, is the camping trip in the fall, traditionally considered as the "dedication" into profession of Physicists for the fresh, first-year students of Physics.
    Along with the fresh students, many graduate students and faculty members participate in this even, as well. The "dedication" is organized on one of the week-ends in September. On Saturday, in the morning, participants of the "dedication" camping trip gather at the Faculty and then go together by a suburban train to the suburb of Moscow where they set on the "freshman's path" in the woods. The trip consists of several parts. At the end of each part there is a check point, where one can learn the next direction to go only after taking part in a number of various contests like problem-solving, racing mountain-top, nettle handling, singing, etc. In the evening, the dedication ceremony itself takes place on a campsite in the woods. The contest winners are awarded with different prizes, and all the freshmen are put on the oath afterwards. The dedication procedure ends up with the joint singing of the Faculty's hymn "Dubinushka", followed by dancing, campfire singing, etc.
    Since 1974, the Faculty hosts "The First Snow" festival, which lasts for a few weeks and where the students take part in traditional contests like amateur singing, photography, poetry, and, just recently, in rock groups and web-site design. The Festival ends with a university-scale gala-concert, in which winners of the various contests present their performances.
    The most favorite holiday among students of Physics at Moscow State is the renowned "Day of Physicist", traditions of which go back in 1960, when it used to be called "The Archimedes Day". Its program featured the famous Greek scientist and its key part was the opera under the same name composed and performed by students of Physics.
    Regularly, the "Day of Physicist" is celebrated in the early May, but preparation starts much earlier. On the day of celebration all classes are canceled. The afternoon program starts with the festive procession of students to the monument of Michael Lomonosov in front of the Faculty's (and MSU) building in order to honor the name of the great Russian scientist, the founder of Moscow State University. Then, it is followed by the traditional performance at the steps of the Faculty (thus, it is called "The Performance at the Steps"), which is attended by thousands of physics students and our former graduates.
    Also, the program of the "Day of Physicist" includes various contests, entertaining events, and competitions, which are arranged inside the Faculty. Prizes may range from "a set for expressing one's free will" (three dozens fresh eggs) to a free voucher to the University summer sports camp. On the University sports grounds the teams of students and stuff members compete with each other in football, volleyball, basketball, and chess.
    The evening program held at the University Cultural Center hosts talented performers from MSU students and our guests from other universities along with invited musicians who joyfully perform together in a large-scale show.