2011
INTERNATIONAL MINING FORUM 2011
34
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS
How did the tradition of miners meeting
emerge?
Hard coal exploitation started as early as 15th century. Even
then it was recognized as a part of the soil and the land
owners often allowed the consumers to mine the coal for a
fee, just like e.g. clay. Mining law issued in 1769 changed
this. Since then conducting exploratory works and exploi-
tation of coal required obtaining permission from the min-
ing authorities.
The ownership title was divided into shares and those
who owned them were put into a real-estate registrar,
forming so-called “mining community”. Miners, members
of this community, met once a year to make a yearly clear-
ance. Due to different number of shares owned and im-
portance, they were sited in separated benches, so-called
tables and formed old and new mining crew. Because the
only places big enough to fit the large number of miners
were inns, this is where the annual meetings usually took
place. This is how the tradition of Miners Meeting, often
called “Beer Feast” emerged. Nowadays it is continued by
true miners in remembrance of the old times.
The Miners Meeting is a continuation of old habits and
ceremonies because of which people gathered after hard
and exhausting work in the “underground, black world” to
seek rest with a mug of beer in a light-hearted or even
frivolous dialogue, accompanied by singing.
Rules of The Beer Feast
A special statute is in force during the Feast and it has to
be absolutely obeyed. This is how it goes:
The Miners Meeting (The Beer Feast) is a traditional
1.
continuation of mining habits and customs. The par-
ticipants are required to wear solemn outfit, medals
and awards won in previous Feasts. Sober and wor-
thy behaviour of the miners are a guarantee of this
old and beautiful tradition.
The proceedings are supervised by High (and in
2.
beer matters infallible) Presidium chosen with a
song „Wstępuj, wstępuj prezesie mój” [Come, come
my chairman]. Its power is absolute and its verdicts
undisputable. During the proceedings the Presidium
may be overthrown with a song „Do dupy z tym Pr-
ezydium” [This Presidium sucks]. A badly organized
plot causes its participants to face serious conse-
quences.
The participants of the meeting are seated in two
3.
competing benches, called “the left bench” and
“right bench”. Both benches are ruled by separate
Counterpoints, chosen by Presidium. Counterpoints
are the only people allowed to talk to Presidium after
asking ROGO VOCEM PRO ME (I ask for a permis-
sion to speak) and receiving positive answer HA-
BEAS (granted). The proceedings are accompanied
with songs started by the cantor.
During the mining meeting community following dis-
4.
tinctions (ranks) are used:
“Jeneral” – a person with mining rank “General
•
Director”,
“Old miner” – a person that has been given a
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beer name or is in an elderly age,
“Miner” – a person with mining education or
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working in mining industry,
“Lucky” [Fuks] – a person that is a candidate for
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miner,
“The Feast Lout” – a person not meeting the
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above-mentioned criteria.
No women, dogs, cats, canaries, pigeons or any
5.
other pets may be brought to the miners meeting.
Every person called to Presidium table comes with
6.
his beer mug and announces himself with his rank,
name, beer name and the number of semester. The
model formula of announcement is as follows: BE-
FORE THE HIGH AND IN BEER MATTERS INFALLI-
BLE PRESIDIUM STANDS OLD MINER / JENERAL /
FEAST LOUT “X”, BEER NAME “Y” (I DO NOT HAVE
A BEER NAME) WITH “Z” SEMESTERS (1 semes-
ter is counted as a half year in mining school or a
half year work experience in mining; if one gradu-
ated from a mining school and is working in mining,
the number of semesters from those two places is
added).
The only beverage allowed in the Feast is beer which
7.
may be drunk from one’s mug, only with the per-
mission of Presidium, at its direct order, for example
after the phrase “hej gwarkowie za ich zdrowie” [Hey
miners, drink to their health]. The mug becomes the
participant’s property after the Feast. Drinking other
beverages, especially the deceptive booze may put
the participant in serious trouble.
Bad mood and sulkiness must be left in the dressing
8.
room before entrance.
During the feast one should:
strain his throat to sing at his full might,
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strain his intellect to give funny and accurate an-
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swers,
strain his muscles to win the competitions requir-
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ing agility.
During the feast one should not:
be offended or insulted because of the jokes,
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even the mean ones,
spill beer on his belly or gorge oneself exces-
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sively,
start rows, behave roughly or disturb others.
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Active participation in the meeting is rewarded. One
9.
may get:
a praise before all participants, a written praise,
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an extra beer mug, a handshake from the chair-
man, a strike of beer mugs with the chairman, a
feast gift etc.
for winning the beer drinking contest one is
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awarded with the drunkards medal.
at the beer feast medals are awarded – honoured
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