Queima das Fitas
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The Queima das Fitas (portuguese for Burning of the Ribbons) is a traditional festivity of the students of some portuguese universities, organized originally by the students of the University of Coimbra.
Coimbra's Queima das Fitas, the oldest and most famous, is organized by a students' commission formed by members of the students' union Associação Académica de Coimbra. Celebrating the end of graduation courses, symbolized by the ritual burning of the ribbons representing each faculty, it takes place at the second semester (around May), being probably the biggest student party in Europe. It lasts for 8 days, one for each Faculty: Humanities, Law, Medicine, Sciences & Technology, Pharmacy, Economics, Psychology & Teacher Training and Sports Sciences. During this period, a series of concerts and performances are held, turning Coimbra in a lively and vibrant city. It also includes a parade of the university students, sport activities, gala ball, and many other public events and traditions.
Today the beer industry has become an important sponsor of Coimbra's Queima das Fitas, and that has given a wider projection to the festival, quite popular now among young people from all around the country and even from Spain. During the festival week large groups of students from different universities such as the universities of Lisbon and Porto, among thousands of other visitors, arrive in Coimbra to enjoy the genuine and most famous Queima das Fitas festival in the World. This growth of popularity has involved a great change in the festival, moving it a great distance away from its origins at the end of the 19th century.
See also
External links
- Queima das Fitas (http://www.queimadasfitas.net/)
- Universidade de Coimbra (http://www.uc.pt/)
- Associação Académica de Coimbra (http://www.aac.uc.pt/)
- Coimbra's Municipality (http://www.cm-coimbra.pt/)
- Rádio Universidade de Coimbra (radio channel) (http://www.ruc.aac.uc.pt/)
- Queima das Fitas history (http://www.regiaocentro.net/lugares/coimbra/universidade/queimafitas/) (portuguese)