Slovenia school hazing traditions lead to medical emergencies

The Slovenian tradition of ‘fazaniranje’—a ritual where first-year high school students are marked with ink, flour, or spray paint—has led to medical emergencies and police intervention during the start of the school year.

In Maribor, a young woman required medical assistance after inhaling spray paint. Police also responded to reports of flour and eggs being thrown in the city center, which caused minor damage to a commercial exhibition. In Ljubljana, at least one individual required medical care due to the inhalation of paint.

The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) reports that this tradition is present in nearly two-thirds of Slovenia's high schools. Health officials are warning students about the risks of using chemical markers, cosmetics, and metal sprays, noting that some substances can cause skin irritation or possess toxic properties.

NIJZ emphasizes that the practice must remain entirely voluntary. They advise that if a student says ‘no,’ the behavior must stop, warning that peer pressure does not justify coercion, humiliation, or physical danger. Authorities also noted that students have used aggressive substances like acetone and gasoline to remove markings from their skin, posing further health risks.