According to a long-standing tradition, the SFedU student ball is dedicated to a specific topic. Last year it was the Pushkin Ball. This year it was dedicated to the poetic theme "The Seasons". Students of all departments, teachers and university management, headed by Rector Inna Shevchenko, gathered in the festively decorated hall of the SFedU Student Club in Taganrog.

In her welcoming speech to the participants of the celebration, Inna Shevchenko stressed the importance of the tradition of holding a student ball on this one of the most important days of the university.

"Dear students, teachers and guests of our ball dedicated to the end of the session and the Day of Russian Students! This tradition began on January 25 at Moscow University. The Southern Federal University, based on the rich history of Warsaw Imperial, Rostov State and other universities, has its own diverse traditions.

I hope everyone in this room has successfully completed the session and is ready to celebrate its end and the beginning of the holidays. Thank you all for the atmosphere and the celebration. On this day, the girls are beautiful, and the young men are gallant and witty. The ball is a part of our history, reflected in dancing, dresses and literature. It's a revival of manners where you can't slouch or be rude. I wish the ball would remind us of the beauty and difficult times we live in. Our task is to preserve the history of the country, the city and the university.

I wish the students vivid personal stories related to professional development and civic responsibility.", - said Inna Konstantinovna.

Honored guests also came to congratulate the participants of the ball on the Day of Russian Students. The head of Taganrog Svetlana Kambulova congratulated everyone on the Student's Day:

"Dear students! There is a special atmosphere in this hall today — joy, excitement and anticipation. I'm worried about you too. You are young, emotional, and full of hope. I wish you to never be afraid to make mistakes and take risks. Mistakes are our path to success. Let every failure become a stepping stone towards your goals. Take care of those who are nearby. The friendship that originated within the walls of the university will be your mainstay for many years to come. And, of course, never stop learning. Be curious, because the world is full of wonders and discoveries. Your interest in knowledge and science will lead you to new heights. You are the future of Russia. You have the opportunity to change the country and the world in your hands. I believe that soon we will hear your names among the great discoveries and achievements. Happy holidays, dear guys! Good luck to you and all the best!"

The dance evening began with a solemn polonaise. Then the couples whirled in a romantic waltz to the live music of the orchestra, and after that everyone danced an incendiary polka. The rich program of the ball pleasantly surprised the guests: the Zodchie Theater of modern choreography charmed with its vivid performance, the dancers presented to the audience several beautiful thematic musical compositions: first they were spring buds that had not opened, then summer meadow flowers, then autumn colorful leaves. The interactive ball game "Streamlet" caused a general excitement among the participants of the ball.

Tatiana, who was present at the ball, was congratulated by the rector of SFedU, wishing them all the best and wonderful, each birthday girl received a bouquet of flowers.

The guests' pastel-colored outfits, echoing the theme of the ball, created the atmosphere of a light watercolor fairy tale: spring greenery, azure summer sky, autumn gold and silver winter frost. The image of the SFedU rector has traditionally attracted attention. This year, her outfit was created by Shao Fan, a graduate of the Costume Design department, under the guidance of Maria Cherkasova, a senior lecturer at the Department of Design. The rector's costume is based on a jacket from the Bamboo Soul collection. The author of the collection was inspired by the aesthetics of Giorgio Armani, the shapes of traditional Chinese women's costumes and the image of bamboo, which determined the color palette (fresh green, beige, black) and decorative embroidery. For a special evening, the jacket was complemented with a long skirt. It should be recalled that over the years Inna Shevchenko appeared at the ball in images from the works of students.

The culmination of the evening is a good tradition of sharing fragrant sbiten. Rector Inna Shevchenko and Chairman of the Joint Council of Students Tatiana Strelnikova personally poured a hot drink, congratulating the students. This sweet ending has become a symbol of the unity of a large university family.

Tatiana Strelnikova, Chairman of the SFedU Joint Council of Students, shared her vision of the event concept. She noted that students, like the seasons, are constantly changing, but at the same time they retain their essence. Thus, students move from spring to summer, from summer to autumn, and each stage of their lives is reflected in the overall concept of the ball.

The artistic concept of the evening, embodied in the decor, music and creative performances, gave the guests of the ball a wonderful mood and a charge of positive emotions for the whole year. SFedU students and participants of the celebration shared their impressions.

The SFedU gala ball is not just a celebration. It is a living tradition where history and modernity, academic pride and creativity, respect for the past and a look into the future are intertwined. Every year, the ball gives unforgettable emotions, confirming that SFedU values not only intelligence, but also the soul.