Majáles 2026: Students in Brno put up a maypole. It is also decorated with red ribbons from BUT

The raising of the Maypole traditionally precedes the largest student festival, where each year it is decided which universities will rule Brno in the coming year. Students from five Brno universities raised it together on Thursday, April 9, at Freedom Square, symbolically launching a month of celebrations that will culminate in the Brno Majáles. The Maypole is also decorated with red ribbons reflecting the colours of BUT.

Students from Brno's universities erected a maypole on Freedom Square. | Author: Václav Koníček

Hundreds of students, the colours of all Brno universities, and a traditional symbol of spring in the city centre. This is what this year’s Maypole raising looked like. The event began with a colourful parade that set off from the campus of Mendel University, led by this year’s king candidates. They carried the decorated Maypole on their shoulders all the way to Freedom Square, where it will stand proudly until the end of the Majáles celebrations.

Erecting the maypole on Freedom Square. | Author: Václav Koníček

In the city centre, the programme continued with musical performances and the decorating of the wreath, which is traditionally adorned with original ribbons from each queen. Brno University of Technology is represented on the Maypole by red flames symbolising the wings of a phoenix. The queen candidate wanted it to be clear that the decoration belongs to BUT, while also reflecting this year’s theme, Passion for Technology. A ribbon expressing support for Brno students was also added to the wreath by representatives of the city and the South Moravian Region.

An ornament made by the queen from BUT. | Author: Václav Koníček

The festive event culminated in the main highlight of the afternoon – the raising of the Maypole. The decorated tree, symbolising a month of spring student celebrations, was proudly erected by the kings together with members of their royal guards. In the end, the queens and their entire royal entourages joined the celebrations as well. This moment each year reminds us not only of tradition, but also of cooperation and unity among Brno universities.

The celebrations will culminate on May 8 with the Brno Majáles, which is traditionally closely connected with student life, and Brno University of Technology will certainly be part of it. In the coming month, BUT will be represented at various events, such as the Run with Heart, the royal debate, or the Majáles parade, by the elected king and queen candidates – Kristýna Suzsková from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Filip Stupka from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

You can already vote for them on the Brno Majáles website – vote for the queen / vote for the king!

If you don’t want to miss any updates, follow the university’s social media or the BUT at Majáles Instagram profile.