UKA i Ås in the 1930’s:

Revue, protest and new traditions

UKA i Ås during the 1930s was a period marked by both conflict and progress! The festival continued to grow, and the UKErevues became increasingly satirical and socially engaged. Throughout the decade, a total of nine revues were performed, with the first in 1930, titled "Funkis for Fanden." This revue was heavily influenced by inside jokes from within the Agrarian Metropolis and primarily revolved around "our own funkis castle" that was about to be built – our current Student Society building.

In 1931, the festival was put to the test when the headmaster tried to censor the revue "Vi relegerer" in exchange for allowing the students to perform the revue in the lecture building, as they had done in the past. The students refused to accept this, and a separate venue was rented for the event. The revue was performed in its full form, and the festival’s further development and independence could now flourish!

In 1932, no revue was held as the Student Society building was under construction. The students put all their efforts into the work and dug out the plot of land themselves – the spirit of volunteer work had a different meaning at that time. The last revue in the Festsalen in Ur was held in 1933, titled “La ballongen gå”, with most of the proceeds going towards the purchase of furniture for the new building. In 1934, the building was completed, just in time for the 10-year anniversary!

The Student Society was and remains an important milestone for UKA i Ås, as well as for the student community here in Ås. It marked an expansion of the festival's activities, with a dance hall, restaurant, bodega, and even a shooting range. UKA i Ås now became more than just a revue, offering a wider variety of activities that attracted more visitors and made the festival an even bigger event. The anniversary revue, “Car-i-(j)-ora,” covered a broad range of topics in its various sketches, attracting people from both near and far.

It was also around this time that women began to play a more active role in UKA.

The ballet dancer Bibi performed in the same revue, becoming the first woman in a UKArevue. This marked the beginning of a gradual inclusion of women in the festival, which had previously been dominated by men. Additionally, to attract more women to the revues, the ticket price in 1935 was reduced to 50 øre for women, while men paid one krone.

Another important event during the decade was the first induction into the order of “Hans Hovenhet Hestehoven" in 1938. Although this humorous and ritualistic tradition officially became part of UKA in Ås i 1954, its roots were in this period and helped shape the unique identity of the entire Student Society in Ås.

The 1930s ended with the revue "TendenSiÅs" (1939), which captured both the political tension in Europe and the mood among the students. Throughout the decade, UKA i Ås had established itself as a platform for humor, social critique, and student engagement, laying the foundation for the festival's continued growth and popularity.