Västgöta nation

Västgöta Nation
University	Uppsala University
Location	Slottsgränd 10 753 09 UPPSALA Sweden
Latin name	Natio Westrogothiae
Abbreviation	VG
Established	1639
Inspektor	Bertil Wiman
Membership	approx. 1300
Website	www.vastgotanation.se

Västgöta Nation, commonly known as Västgöta or VG, is one of the thirteen student nations of Uppsala University, originally intended for students from Västergötland Province. It was founded in 1639 and thus is Uppsala’s oldest nation. With about 1 200 members Västgöta Nation is one of the smaller nations at Uppsala but still has extensive cultural activities including three choirs, a theatre club and an orchestra.

The nation’s building (Swedish: nationshus) lies along the Fyrisån and was probably built in 1604, though its cellar is much older. The building survived a city-wide fire in 1702, unusually for central Uppsala. Amongst the building’s former owners was Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson, and it has been in the nation’s possession since 1825.

Activities

The nation divides its activities into two main categories, culture and the ‘club-office’ (Swedish: klubbverket). Cultural activities include choirs (mixed choir, men’s choir and ladies choir), theatre club, orchestra and sports club. The second category includes gasques, the pub Djäknen, the weekly fish restaurant Blå (blue), daily soup lunch and weekend fika.

Club office

A gasque is traditional formal student dinner followed by an afterparty known as a släpp. In the autumn term these usually include a Kräftgasque (crayfish gasque), Reccegasque (freshmen’s gasque), Damsupé (ladies’ dinner), Herrmiddag (gentlemen’s dinner) and Luciagasque (Saint Lucia’s Day dinner). The autumn’s biggest event is a ball called the Gåsmiddag or goose dinner, celebrated near Saint Martin’s Day. The winter/spring term usually includes Reccegasque, a Marsgasque or Kulturgasque (March- or culture-gasque), Damsupé, Herrmiddag and Majmiddag (May dinner). The biggest events are clustered around Walpurgis Night, including the Valborgsgasque and the Vårbal (spring ball).

Djäknen is the nation’s pub, located in the oldest part of the nation’s building, the mediaeval cellar. It has a cosy and intimate milieu and a wide selection of beers and is open Tuesday to Saturday.

Västgöta is also known for its good food and since 1998 has presented a fish restaurant Blå (Blue) open Thursday evenings.

Lunch consists of soup and is open weekdays between 12.00 and 14.00. Weekends the nation is host to fika between 11.30 and 15.00.

Friend Nations

• Västgöta nation, Lund
• Nylands Nation, Helsinki
• Keskisuomalainen Osakunta, Helsinki

Inspektors

In 1663 Ericus Odhelius, professor of theology, became the nation's first inspektor. Lars-Gunnar Larsson, professor of Finno-Ugric languages is the current inspektor.

Västgöta nation

Coordinates: 59°51′24″N 17°38′20″E / 59.85667°N 17.63889°E / 59.85667; 17.63889