Before notebooks, degrees, or even written books came into existence, picture yourself being a part of a university where Christmas was already a custom. While most college students now associate Christmas with semester breaks, secret Santa activities, hostel decorations, and festive cuisine, students on some campuses began celebrating as early as the 12th century, by candlelight lit in stone halls, and clad in academic robes.
These oldest universities in the world have witnessed the world change, like:-
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Pandemics and plagues
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Rising and collapsing empires
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World conflicts, reforms, and various revolutions
But one thing has remained unchanged, and that is the celebrations of Christmas on Campus. This goes beyond history. It is a dynamic culture of students. Students at these colleges still go through the same hallways, attend the same chapels, and sit in rooms where Christmas customs have been celebrated for more than 900 years.
List of the Oldest Universities in the World, Which Have Celebrated Christmas for over 900 Years 🎄
It is very common for individuals to think of universities that are more than 800-900 years old as remote, museum-like establishments. These universities are unique because Christmas was never merely an ‘off day’. It was a significant academic stop in medieval times, when academics took a break from heated discussions to contemplate, rejoice, and reestablish relationships with their communities.
These customs have changed over the ages, moving from religious observances to cultural festivities, but the Christmas experience for students has never changed. Given below is the list of some of the oldest universities in the world, along with how Christmas is celebrated:-
| Institutes Name | Establishment Year | How Christmas is Celebrated? |
| University of Bologna, Italy 🎄🧑🎄🎁 | 1088 |
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| University of Oxford, England 🎄🧑🎄🎁 | 1096 |
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| University of Cambridge, England 🎄🧑🎄🎁 | 1209 |
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At many campuses, Christmas serves as an acknowledgement that students' memories last for generations and go beyond simple festive decorations. Exams, teaching methods, and technology change, but the joy of stopping, celebrating, never changes.
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