Durmstrang
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Durmstrang Institute for Magical Study is a fictional magic school in the Harry Potter books, similar to Hogwarts. Durmstrang is thought to be located in eastern or northern Europe, possibly in Bulgaria, or northwestern Russia or the Baltic coast, although the name points to its German origin (thought to be a play on the phrase Sturm und Drang, a German literary movement). The school would appear to be very far North, as part of the school uniform includes furs, the days are very short in winter and the locale is often freezing. This would seem to invalidate Bulgaria, which has a warm climate. Given the historically strong German and Austrian cultural and political influence on all Middle and Eastern Europe, German can as well be the language of instruction.Template:Fact The school existed at least 700 years ago, as that was when they began participating in the Triwizard Tournament.
Like Hogwarts, Durmstrang is located inside a castle. The castle is only four stories tall and fires are only lit for magical purposes. It has very extensive grounds though - as Viktor Krum tells Hermione Granger, the Durmstrang Castle is smaller than the Hogwarts Castle, but the grounds are much bigger. Durmstrang has a reputation for teaching the Dark Arts, possibly because of its former headmaster, Igor Karkaroff. Karkaroff was a Death Eater, but he got out of Azkaban by giving the Ministry of Magic dozens of names of his co-conspirators. He does not admit Muggle-borns to his school, and is said to have not only been teaching his students Defence against the Dark Arts but the Dark Arts themselves.
Bulgarian Quidditch Seeker, Viktor Krum, attended Durmstrang, and was still in school during the 1994 World Cup. In the 1994 Triwizard Tournament, Durmstrang's champion was, to nobody's surprise, Viktor Krum. It was ironic that Krum attended the Yule Ball with Hermione, who is Muggle-born and would not have been admitted at his school.
After the events of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Karkaroff fled after Lord Voldemort rose again. In the sixth book it is mentioned that Karkaroff was killed by the Death Eaters. It is not known who took over, or whether the school's reputation improved or worsened due to this.
In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it is implied that Durmstrang's students are all male.
See also
- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
- Beauxbatons Academy of Magic
- Sturm und Drang (to which the name Durmstrang alludes)fr:Durmstrang
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