Coimbra and its academic life are inseparable. When we talk about Coimbra, we also talk about a unique academic tradition and experience. It is to the students that Coimbra owes much of its dynamism and liveliness. In this city your experiences are full of joy and tradition marked by the academic celebrations and processions — Queima das Fitas and Festa das Latas e Imposição de Insígnias — events which take on a special symbolism in the different stages of each student’s journey. Studying in Coimbra means living in a large student community and sharing an incomparable academic environment.
Characterised by the noise of the cans and the week of concerts that fill Praça da Canção, Festa das Latas e Imposição de Insignías is the first academic celebration, which marks the arrival of the new students. Its highlight is the procession, where the ‘freshmen’ parade in costumes chosen by their ‘godfathers’ and convey satirical and critical messages to society through posters. The parade route ends at the Mondego River, in whose waters the ’godfathers‘ baptise their ’freshmen‘ or ’godchildren’.
Queima das Fitas is the quintessential students’ celebration and is considered by many to be the biggest student event that takes place in Portugal. In May, the Monumental Serenade kicks off the week that takes students to Praça da Canção, where for several nights there are concerts by various artists, bands, and musical groups.
During Queima das Fitas there is also a procession in which the students parade on floats decorated with the colours of each higher education establishment.
The Academy invites the students of Polytechnic of Coimbra to actively participate in these moments which are the great and visible manifestation of the academic spirit early on.