Mechanical engineering student Steven Floor shares what he knows about the relics: “They date back to the Cossacks party held in 1989. When a house party was held, it was customary to make tankards for all the society's members. This party turned out to be the last one Alcibiades was able to hold at Casibaan [Casimirstraat 16 and 18, ed.].”

The society's website reveals the following: ‘The rich house party tradition came to an involuntary end in 1989 as a result of the worsening relationship with Student Housing Foundation Eindhoven’. A previous party, for which the bill for broken glass was higher than the beer bill, was reportedly the straw that broke the camel's back. It put the kibosh on getting permission for further parties.

In honor of any party held, the first of which was in 1972, an exclusive tankard was always designed for every member. Almost all of these have since disappeared. “But those glorious days should not be forgotten and so we want to recall all these great memories once more,” says Floor.

The five students who will be wrapping up the tankards as gifts for their society are going through hazing. They have to carry out a series of tasks varying in difficulty and the effort required.