By: Werner

Yes, seconds like in a duel. In the old days they were supposed to be able to take over the defense fo you, or you could defer a question to them. today they are just for decorum. In reality it is a duel, the people on the panel are called 'opponents' are each gets 10-15 to try to kill you. Professionally that is. After an hour the 'pedel' comes in, bangs a big staff on the floor and shouts 'hora est', indicating that it is all over... The processions in and out of the room, lots of pump and circumstance. I am sure however that I appreciate it now much more, now that I am older, than if I would have done it at the appropriate age betwen 27 and 32. That fact that I got to do this 15 years after I was last a student, made it even more fun. Ladies indeed often wear a gown or a busines suit, although the rules call for the promevenda to be 'festively dressed', which is a lot less strict than for the men, where eveything up to the color of the bowtie and vest is described in the rules Anyway, I am waiting for the moment that I can congratulate Dr. Walker ...