The rector of Roskilde Gymnasium is calling for the city’s annual “puttefest” gatherings to be stopped after a 16-year-old student was stabbed to death near Folkeparken on Friday.
Henrik Nevers, rector of Roskilde Gymnasium, told DR that the tradition does not belong anywhere. Each year, thousands of young people gather in Folkeparken in central Roskilde to mark a new cohort starting at the city’s gymnasier.
During Friday’s gathering, a 16-year-old boy from Himmelev Gymnasium was stabbed several times just beside the park. He later died of his injuries. Another 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in the case.
Nevers said students who have just started gymnasium are more vulnerable to what he called a very violent alcohol culture. He also described a highly sexualized culture, including writing on each other’s white tops and T-shirts. According to DR, eighth and ninth graders also attend the gatherings.
The rector noted that the gymnasier cannot abolish something they do not arrange. Apart from natteravne volunteers present on Friday, no organizer stands behind the event, he said. He hopes the schools, the municipality and parents can prevent future puttefester together.
Roskilde Mayor Tomas Breddam has contacted the city’s gymnasier with the same question. As reported by BT, he visited the crime scene and questioned whether the killing is actually related to the puttefest. He described the party format as a new phenomenon in Roskilde.
TV 2 reports that the 16-year-old suspect has been remanded in custody until September 10 and denies the charge. TV 2 also described chaotic scenes at the gathering and noted the judge said a dispute between groupings could not be ruled out. Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi has described the case as an internal conflict between the two boys.
Student organization opposes a shutdown
Oscar Tønsberg Hoffmann, chair of Danske Gymnasieelevers Sammenslutning, told DR the killing should not be seen as linked to puttefester in general. He pointed to the police description of an internal conflict and offered his condolences to the victim’s family and to students at Himmelev Gymnasium.
Instead, Hoffmann called for more security-creating measures in the coming year, such as increased police presence and more natteravne. He said he does not believe a ban is technically possible, arguing that the parties would simply move elsewhere.
Hoffmann added that parts of the alcohol and sexualized culture are problematic, but that the answer lies in safety initiatives rather than prohibition. The gatherings take place in parks and forests across the country, he noted.
Julie Rørdam Thom, rector of Himmelev Gymnasium, where the victim was a student, declined to comment to DR on whether the puttefest should be closed down. Thomas Ulrik Stilling, rector of Roskilde Katedralskole, wrote to DR that forbidding young people from meeting outside school hours is not the solution.
Stilling said the school believes in dialogue and responsibility instead. He added that Roskilde Katedralskole will continue talking with students about creating safe communities, also outside school hours, and that parents play a large role in that work.
