Return of the Backpack: 3 Back-to-School Traditions from Around the World

The ice cream man has completed his final round, the pencils have been sharpened, and the lunches packed. This can only mean that the summer holidays are over, and the kids are going back to school! 

With the new school year comes new responsibilities and new challenges, both of which can make children and parents feel a little uneasy. Fortunately, despite such a flurry of changes and the prospect of taking another step closer to ‘the real world’, there are some things that stay the same, such as back-to-school celebrations. 

In the UK, returning to school after the summer holidays is marked with an exciting shopping trip to purchase new uniforms, stationery, and kids school bags, but students are typically greeted by teachers with a standard ‘welcome back’ before being thrown into the learning pool once again. Let us take you around the world in 900 words by exploring some of the most exciting traditions that the UK doesn’t have. 

Bulgaria

Nothing generates back-to-school excitement quite like getting the students, teachers, headmasters, and parents involved. In Bulgaria, commemorating the return to school is an invitation that’s extended beyond the students – and it makes total sense to involve everyone.

While the children are indeed the focal point, school staff and parents still play a key part in this milestone, and they deserve to celebrate just as much as the youngsters. With 220,400 students enrolled in the 2021/2022 academic year, we can imagine this was quite the party!

Allow us to set the scene for you. There’s an excitable buzz in the school backyard amongst the adults and children, and there’s a show happening on stage in the form of a dance routine, poem recital, or singing performance. Around them, national and school-specific flags have been put up and are now proudly fluttering in the breeze. 

Once the necessary announcements have been made and the bell has been rung to officially signify the beginning of the school year, all the students go underneath a massive wreath before being seated in their classrooms. In addition to this, each form teacher is given a beautiful bunch of flowers to mark their own return! Bulgarian children have hit the jackpot here, as no studying takes place on the first day back – people are too busy honouring the special occasion. 

Japan

Japanese culture holds the first day of school in very high esteem, meaning celebrations are not only fun but also meaningful. For most countries around the world, the new school year begins in September, whereas in Japan, this takes place in April – the beginning of spring. 

While the trees grow and the flowers blossom, so do the Japanese children. Returning to school signifies a sense of renewal and a fresh start for the students, so it makes sense that such a significant milestone should take place during this season.

On the first day, children are congratulated and handed gifts from their family and friends to mark the special occasion. With the kids dressed in their fresh uniforms and their accompanying parents in smart attire, photographs are taken in front of the school entrance or gate. 

Equipped with their randoseru (hard-sided backpack) filled with books and stationery, the children then venture inside and officially continue their journey into Japanese society and culture. When lunchtime rolls around, students will typically enjoy a meal that consists of rice with seaweed sauce and quail eggs, which is supposed to bring good luck.

Germany

If you’re returning to school in Germany, you’re very lucky. Sure, most students will undoubtedly tingle with nerves at the thought of beginning a new chapter, but they do have a Schultüte (school cone)to look forward to. 

This isn’t just any kind of school bag, either. In Germany, the Schultüte is a cone-shaped package filled with schoolbooks, stationery, and even sweets. The first day of school after six or seven weeks off to celebrate the summer season can be overwhelming, so German parents make the effort to equip their kids with something helpful but exciting.

Cones in hand, the festivities continue. Friends and family join the students on the school grounds and watch enthusiastically as the principal greets the newcomers and the older students perform plays or songs on stage. Once the show comes to an end, the homeroom teachers introduce themselves to their new students and allow them to choose their seats in the classroom before receiving their schedules.

The importance of celebrating the return to education 

Education is crucial in creating a healthy, thriving society. Rest between each school year is important, but the time away can disrupt a child’s daily routine, as well as their motivation to learn. In the UK, children typically get a six-week break between each school year, whereas some countries such as Portugal, Latvia, and Albania give their students as long as 13 weeks!

It’s totally understandable why many countries make a ‘big song and dance’ (literally, in some cases) in response to welcoming their students back into the education system. To continue their learning journey after such a long time away, they need to feel inspired and excited! The countries listed above have got the right idea with their elaborate back-to-school traditions, and we wish their students every success in the next academic year.