Music, student societies and speedfriending: Semester party draws hundreds of students

SemestrON kicked off the academic year at a Pilsen brewery. On 23 September, its courtyard was filled with students, university staff, and passers-by celebrating the return of students to the city. The evening featured the student bands competition and a concert by last year’s winners.

First place in the student bands competition went to Diazepam at the SemestrON opening party on Wednesday evening. The ranking was decided by the students’ cheers, measured by a decibel meter. Diazepam fans managed to reach 111.8 dB, which means the band will headline next year’s SemestrON. This year’s headliners were last year’s winners, Koby Fray. Second place went to Vittu (104.9 dB), while Black Spring came a close third (104.2 dB).

A regular SemestrON attendee is also the Rector of the University of West Bohemia, who wished students a successful academic year and encouraged them to keep going even when their studies get tough. “I want to see you all here again next year, in the same place,” Miroslav Lávička told the crowd from the stage, urging students to stay committed to their studies. Speedfriending was another SemestrON tradition, giving students the chance to meet new people in an organized way during their first days at university. This year also saw the introduction of the BrainON quiz, which tested participants’ knowledge of UWB and Pilsen.

Alongside music and beer from Plzeňský Prazdroj and Elektrárna Brewery, visitors could also enjoy activities at stands run by university units and student societies. At the Counseling Center, they could pick up a so-called worry stone, an anti-stress aid, while the UWB e-Racing Team Pilsen offered a glimpse into what it is like to be part of a student racing team. Throughout the evening, visitors could also write messages and wishes for UWB’s 35th anniversary, which falls on 28 September.

A photo gallery and on UWB Zonerama below captures the atmosphere of this year’s SemestrON.