A bond for life
The Landsmannschaft Saxo-Suevia is an academic student fraternity in Erlangen. Its members, the “Bundesbrüder”, are current and former students from a wide range of subjects. What unites us is a friendship that begins during our studies and lasts a lifetime: across faculties, professions, home towns and generations.
“To the friend the hand, for truth and loyalty” Motto of the Landsmannschaft Saxo-Suevia
Our motto sums up what matters to us: we give each other a hand, we are honest with one another and we stand up for each other, long after our studies are over. After their final exams, students are admitted to the alumni association. In the spirit of a contract between generations, the alumni support the active members with advice and practical help with theses, exams and job hunting, and they provide affordable accommodation in our student residence.
What members themselves say about Saxo-Suevia
Open to everyone
With us, it is the person who counts. Origin, nationality, skin colour, religion and world view are no criteria for admission. Our members include students who were not born in Germany, and we are proud of that. We respect every person, wherever they come from.
Anyone who studies in Erlangen or Nuremberg and is looking for a community that lasts beyond their studies is welcome. Many of our events are also open to friends, partners and families.
Politically and religiously neutral
Saxo-Suevia is not bound to any ideology, religion or political party. We represent no party and no denomination, and we do not tell anyone what to think. Our members hold very different convictions, and that is exactly what makes our conversations valuable: we argue about the issue, listen to each other and treat each other with respect.
Against radicalism, for respect
We reject every form of political and social radicalism, whatever direction it comes from. Extremist positions have no place in our fraternity. We equally reject any arrogance towards other people: nobody is worth more because they study, belong to a fraternity or come from a particular family.
For us, respect, tolerance and helpfulness are not slogans but part of everyday life in the house, at our meetings and in how we treat our neighbours, guests and fellow students.
Europe
Europe is close to our hearts. Twice we had the honour of presiding over the Coburger Convent, our umbrella association. In 1976/77 our motto was “Family of European Nations – A Goal Without Alternative”; in 2022/23 we took up the thread again with “Family of European Nations – One Destiny, One Future”. Our roots also lie in Breslau, today's Wrocław in Poland. That we are welcome there again as friends today is, for us, a gift of European unification.
More about our commitment to Europe
Democracy and responsibility
Our fraternity governs itself and is organised democratically. All important decisions are taken at the “Convent”, the assembly of active members, where every vote counts the same. Each semester the active members elect the officers (“Chargierte”) from among themselves; they lead the fraternity, plan events and look after new members.
Taking on an office with us means learning early on to speak freely, to take responsibility for others and to find compromises. Many members later say they gained more from this for their careers than from many a seminar.
Why we fence
Saxo-Suevia is a fencing fraternity: we keep up the “Mensur”, the traditional academic fencing between members of different fraternities. From the outside this often seems strange, so we are happy to explain what it is about – and what it is not about.
“Meetings and offices are training for speaking freely and for management tasks at work; the Mensur gives you resilience against life's adversities.” Prof. Dr. Berthold Seitz, Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at Saarland University Medical Center, member since 1981
What is a Mensur?
In a Mensur, two students from different, friendly fraternities fence with the “Schläger”. The procedure is strictly regulated, the fencers wear protective equipment, and an umpire, seconds and a doctor are always present. Beforehand, everyone trains for a long time, several times a week.
Is it a duel?
No. There is neither winner nor loser, and no dispute is settled. The fencers are not opponents; often they sit at the same table that very evening.
So what is it about?
Composure: standing firm, overcoming one's own fear and relying on one's training and one's second. This experience shapes you and brings people together. Anyone who joins us knows from the start that the Mensur is part of it.
Tradition with an open mind
Our history goes back to 1878. We keep up customs such as ribbon and cap in our colours, the “Kommers” and the singing of old student songs, because they connect us with the generations before us. For us, however, tradition does not mean glorification. The dark chapters, above all the National Socialist era, are part of our history too. We describe them openly and without glossing over them.
Our history from 1878 to today
Get in touch
Would you like to get to know us, do you have questions about our principles or are you planning an event with us? We look forward to hearing from you at aktivitas@saxo-suevia.de or from the alumni association at ahv@saxo-suevia.de. You are also welcome to visit us in the Löhestraße.