Vi gjorde det bästa av situationen – En kvalitativ undersökning om studentdagens ritualiserade kultur under pandemin

Abstract

This essay examines the Swedish high school graduation day-tradition, known as “studenten”, and how its ritualized culture has been affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic. By using a qualitative methos we have identified the day’s ritualized culture and how this has been adapted during the pandemic. We analyze how the graduation tradition has been adapted in order to maintain the ritual. With perspectives such as Ervin Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis and Pascal Boyer and Pierre Liénard’s normative scripting of actions we contribute with knowledge about why the ritual is practiced during the pandemic. By examining the student-graduation and its spirit as a ritualized cultural act, we can see how the students experienced the situation in relation to the unique situation that it means to be in a pandemic.