Formal Hall has lasted this long over the years because it is not only about food. It keeps an old part of Cambridge college life alive while still giving students a reason to gather and celebrate together today.
Today, Formal Hall gives students a reason to slow down and spend time together outside of classes. People go with friends, celebrate birthdays or special occasions, invite guests, and sometimes visit Formals at other colleges. I think that is part of why the tradition has survived for so long. Even though Cambridge has changed enormously, students still enjoy coming together for a shared meal. For me, Formal Hall takes something as normal as dinner and turns it into one of the nights I look forward to most.
Yes, but more through Cambridge's built environment and college system than through nature. Formal Hall takes place inside historic college dining halls surrounded by old architecture, portraits, long tables, and other reminders of the university's past. Cambridge is also made up of separate colleges, each with its own community and traditions, so every Formal can feel slightly different. Wearing a gown and eating inside one of these halls makes the tradition feel connected to the place itself. I do not think Formal Hall would feel nearly the same in a regular restaurant or dining room.
