Penkkarit culminate in a parade of open-air trucks driving through Finland’s biggest cities. Often dressed in costumes, final-year students stand on top of decked out trucks shouting slogans and throwing candy at crowds. Students also organise parties before, during and after the day.
The event is particularly popular among children, who come to collect free candy strewn on streets.
In schools, seniors visit the classes of junior students and may even put on skits.
Around 42,000 students have signed up to take this spring’s matriculation exam. Passing the nationally graded exam is a prerequisite for further academic education in Finland. Those passing the exam receive peaked white caps in June to celebrate their achievement.
Penkkarit, more formally penkinpainajaiset, ("bench pressing") refers to the hefty studying sessions school-leavers face as they review all of the material of their high school careers in preparation of the matriculation exam.
