Latvian student corporations are a type of student fraternity, similar to German Student Corps found at universities in Germany.[1][2] Established in 1809 in Dorpat (now Tartu), Curonia was the first student corporation to be formed in Latvia.[2] By 1934, 26 percent of the students at the University of Latvia belonged to a student corporation.[2] Most Latvian male corporations are members of the Presidium Convent (P!K!); whereas, female corporations are united under the Studenšu Prezidiju Konvents (Female Student Presidium Convent or S!P!K! ).[1]
In July 1940, all Latvian student organizations were banned under Soviet occupation.[2][3] During this era, student organization members and alumni who remained in Latvia were subjected to political repression.[2] After World War II, many Latvian student corporations reformed in exile, reestablishing their student chapter in Latvia after the restoration of Latvia's independence.[2] The dates listed below are for each corporation's university chapter, exclusive of the dates for alumni and non-collegiate activity in exile.
The Latvian Corporations Association (LKA) was an umbrella organization for student corporations in exile, replacing the role of P!K!, which was also forbidden in Latvia under Soviet occupation.[4][5] Former members of P!K! helped reestablish it after they were reestablished in Latvia.[4][5][6]
In 2016, Talavija and Lettonia withdrew from the P!K!. and reformed of the Chargétos Konvent (Šaržēto Konventam or S!K!).[7] This was a revival of Chargétos Konvent (C!C!) was an umbrella organization for student corporation that was founded in Riga in 1871 and replaced by the P!K! in 1920.[citation needed]
Other similar student organizations, including academic societies (such as Austrums and Latviete) and concordiae (such as Konkordija Valdemārija), are not members of P!K! or S!P!K! but do interact. Austrums, Dzintars, Fraternitas Rusticana, Latviete, Valdemārija, and Zinteniece signed a partnership agreement on April 17, 1999.[8] Konkordija Valdemārija was a founding member of the umbrella organization Concordia Seniorate (KS) in 1927; KS was closed during the Soviet occupation and operated for a time in exile before going defunct.[9] Austrums was a founding member of the umbrella organization the Union of Societies (VS) which operated prior the Soviet occupation and was restored on April 23, 1990, although remains dormant since the mid–1990s.[8] While the academic societies were in exile, the Union of Academic Societies (UAS) temporarily replaced VS.[8]
Following is a list of Latvian student corporations for males, with active corporations are in bold and inactive corporations and institutions in italics.[10][11][12][13]
^The corporation closed during World War I and World War II. It reformed and has been based in Hamburg, Germany, since October 13, 1956.
^ abcdeThe Baltic University in Exile was established in German refugee camps to educate displaced people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania after World War II. Baltic University closed in the fall of 1949. The corporation was later reestablished in Riga.
^ abcIn the summer of 1947, the corporation was a founder of the Baltic University Presidium Convention (BU PK), an umbrella organization for Latvian corporations founded in exile at Baltic University. BU PK ceased operations on October 7, 1949, when BU closed.
^The corporation temporarily went inactive in 1949 when BU closed and was later reestablished abroad in exile. It moved to Riga in 1992 and became associated with the University of Latvia in the mid-1990s.
^The corporation went inactive when BU closed in 1949. It was reformed as an alumni group in exile and became active in Latvia in 1990 and now has chapters in Riga and Jūrmala.
^Corporation was formed in Moscow, Russia, and was originally called Fraternitas Moscoviensis. It became active at the Latvian Higher Education Institution (now the University of Latvia) in 1919. Its name was changed in September 1920 to gain recognition by the institution.
^ abcdeFounding member of P!K! on September 27, 1919.
^ abFounded in exile after World War II and was, later, reestablished in Riga.
^The corporation moved from Germany to the United States in 1950. It became active in began its activities in Latvia in September 1992 and is now associated with the University of Latvia.
^After BU closed in 1949, the corporation went inactive. It reformed in exile in the United States in 1953. It became active in Latvia in 1990 and affiliated with the University of Latvia on July 1, 1990.
^The corporation was removed from P!K! on March 3, 2020 for failure to meet organizational obligations. Shortly afterwards, Lacuania ceased its operations.
^Tartu Veterinary Institute became part of Tartu University in 1918. The corporation is now affiliated with the University of Latvia in Riga.
^The corporation was reformed at the University of Latvia.
^Patria was formed from the Riga Latvian Student Union (RLSS), established in 1908.
^Formed in Liepāja by former students of the University of Latvia in Riga. It established an additional headquarters at the University of Latvia on September 1, 1924. It reformed at the University of Latvia in 1989.
^The corporation was established by Russian students of the Latvian University after a split in the Corp Fraternitas Arctica. During the Soviet occupation of Latvia, it operated in exile in Germany, the United States, and Australia. The corporation ceased operations in 1998. It was never restored in Latvia.
^The corporation operated in exile after World War II in the United States and Canada. It gradually ceased operations, no longer accepting new members by 1980. It never returned to Latvia as a student organization.
^The corporation was reformed at the University of Latvia in Riga.
^The corporation was origially called the Latvian Academy of Music Student Association “Līga”. After exile, it was reactivated at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in Riga. It ceased operations between 2003 and 2013.
^ abcSororitas Tatiana was formed by the merger of the Russian student corporations Sororitas Slavia and Tatiana. Its membership consists of female students who are interested in the Russian language and culture.
^The corporation closed in 1949 when BU ceased operations. Its members reformed the corporation in exile in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Australia. It began operations in Latvia in 1991.
^The corporation was formed by nine Latvian students at three Munich universities, in exile after World War II. It was established in Latvia in 1993.
^Corporation formed from a literary society, the Student Association “Varavīksne, established on March 6, 1922.
^Although the group attempted to operate abroad, its members in Latvia joined Latviete in 1993. Thus, Ausma never reformed in Latvia.
^Austrums began operating in Riga in 1919. After exile, it was reformed in Latvia at Riga Technical University on September 13, 1990, and at the University of Latvia on October 30, 1993.
^Formed as the Association of Latvian Catholic Students Outside Latvia by students who were in exile from Latvia, which was under Soviet occupation. Its headquarters were in Germany, Belgium, and the United States before moving to Latvia on July 7, 1991. As of 2023, it has chapters in Liepāja, Rēzekne, and Riga.
^Changed format from a student association to a concordia in 1927. Remaining members joined Konkordija Valdemārija after dissolution.
^ abFeldentale, Evita (January 21, 2025). "Student Corporation Daugaviete". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abcZelenkovs, Andris (October 24, 2024). "student corporation Tervetia". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abZelenka, Andris (December 28, 2024). "student corporation "Fraternitas Lettica"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abZelenka, Andris (January 21, 2025). "student corporation Talavija". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abcdefZelenka, Andris (November 26, 2024). "akadēmiskā vienība Austrums". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abZelenkovs, Andris (February 20, 2024). "Concordia Valdemaria". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Beveronija". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (February 6, 2024) "studentu korporācija 'Beveronija'". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. (in Latvian). Retrieved September 30, 2024.
^Festschrift Fraternitas Baltica, 1865–1965. p. 152.
^Philistine Association of Concordia Rigensis (ed.): Concordia Rigensis. 11/29/1869–11/29/1969. Festschrift: chronicle, album, statistics. Hamburg 1969. p. 45.
^ abZelenka, Andris (October 30, 2024). "student corporation Fraternitas Livonica". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (December 29, 2023). "student corporation 'Fraternitas Imantica'". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenka, Andris (October 25, 2024). "student corporation Fraternitas Vanenica". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (February 8, 2024). "student corporation 'Gersicania'". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Gersicania". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^"Lacuania". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenka, Andris (January 21, 2025). "Lacuania student corporation". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). National Library of Latvia. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenka, Andris (December 28, 2024). "Student Corporation 'Latvia'". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Latvia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (December 30, 2023). "student corporation Lettgallia". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Lettgallia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (January 1, 2024). "student corporation Lettonia". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Lettonia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^"Patria". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenka, Andris (November 20, 2024). "student corporation Patria". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenka, Andris. (March 6, 2025) "studentu korporācija “Philyronia”". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. (in Latvian). Retrieved September 30, 2024.
^"Philyronia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenkovs, Andres. (January 1, 2024) "studentu korporācija “Ruthenia”". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. (in Latvian). Retrieved September 30, 2024.
^Zelenka, Andris. (November 13, 2024) "studentu korporācija “Salgalia”". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. (in Latvian). Retrieved September 30, 2024.
^Zelenka, Andris (November 13, 2024). "student corporation Salgalia" [Latvian National Encyclopedia]. Nacionālā enciklopēdija (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
^"Selonija". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenka, Andris (April 17, 2024). "student corporation Selonija". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"Talavija". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^"Tervetia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^"Vendia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenka, Andris. (October 23, 2024) "studentu korporācija “Vendia”. Nacionālās enciklopēdijas. Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. (in Latvian). Retrieved April 16, 2024.
^"Ventonia". P!K! (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
^Zelenka, Andris (February 13, 2025). "student corporation Ventonia". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (February 17, 2025). "Student Corporation "Aurora"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (February 6, 2025). "Student Corporation Dzintra". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (March 17, 2025). "Student Corporation "Gaujmaliete"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (March 18, 2025). "Student Corporation "Gundega"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (February 19, 2025). "Student Corporation Imeria". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (March 18, 2025). "Student Corporation Līga". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (November 7, 2024). "Student Corporation Selga". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abcFeldentale, Evita (November 6, 2024). "student corporation Sororitas Tatiana". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (February 26, 2025). "Student Corporation "Spīdola"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (February 19, 2025). "Student Corporation Staburadze". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (March 17, 2025). "Student Corporation Varavīksne". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Feldentale, Evita (March 7, 2025). "Student Corporation Zinta". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^"History". Zinta (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-04-15.
^Feldentāle, Evita (October 22, 2024). "akadēmiskā studenšu vienība "Ausma"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^Zelenkovs, Andris (July 17, 2024). "student association Fraternitas Rusticana". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ abFeldentale, Evita (August 24, 2023). "academic student society "Latviete"". Nacionālās enciklopēdijas (in Latvian). Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka. Retrieved April 16, 2025.