Queima das fitas: A crazy week in Coimbra

In the end of the school year, Coimbra becomes a different city. During a week, Coimbra belongs to the students. The entire city stops to celebrate the end of another year, to congratulate its finalists and to enjoy all the events organized by the Colleges. This is the week of Queima das Fitas.

Imagine an entire city living and celebrating the end of the school year! This is what happens in Coimbra, this year between 4th and 11th of May. It’s a different week in the city of students. During this week, Coimbra belongs even more to the students and it is invaded by thousands of young men and women, many of them from other cities who come here to enjoy this season.

Queima das fitas is an old tradition in Coimbra, which has more than 100 years. Its name makes allusion to one of the most symbolic rituals of the celebration: the burning of the stripes. The story behind this ritual says that in the old days, back in the beginning of the 20th century, the stripes were used to tie the two halves of the students’ notebooks. The burning of these stripes was one of the earliest rituals used to celebrate the end of the school year and also the end of the course.

Today, there are many more rituals and events in Queima das fitas. It’s a week with a full agenda. Each day belongs to a different college, which is responsible for the organization. Music and the good mood are the main ingredients. This year, among the invited artists, Xutos & Pontapés, Blasted Mechanism and Da Weasel were pointed out as some of the Portuguese bands. People can also saw the international star Skye (former vocalist of Morcheeba) and the national revelation Linda Matini.

However, the most symbolic musical moment of the week is unquestionably Serenata. This ritual marks the official opening of the celebration, when the clock crosses midnight, from Friday to Saturday. After the 12th toll of the bells of the Cathedral of Coimbra, a set of students of the Group of Fado of Associação Academica de Coimbra (the mythic students’ association of the University of Coimbra) presents a show of typical Fado de Coimbra to the city. All around the group that is standing in the stairway of the Cathedral, thousands of people wearing the black academic costume follow the show singing together.

All over the night

As you may have already realized, this is a week where days finish at night and nights finish under the daylight. The celebrations start in the beginning of the afternoon and continue all over the night, much after the end of the musical shows. In between, there are many events and rituals, much acquaintanceship and, of course, some excesses.

Filipa Baptista studied in Coimbra for two years and remembers the old days saying that “Queima das Fitas is the happening of the year in the city”. Filipa explains that the enthusiasm starts a few months before, when the first news and details are known. “The preparation for Queima das Fitas is also a party”, she says.

In fact, when the week of Queima das Fitas approaches, the entire city is mobilized. Even the coffee houses and the restaurants participate, fastening the posters of the event. Actually, these establishments are an important part of the day-by-day of the students during this week. Throughout these days, everyone goes out for dinner with friends and lots of dinners are settled. This is the best week of the year not only for students, but also for business.

 After dinner, all the ways lead to the party. People leave the restaurants in groups and, slowly, between some laughs and one more drink, they go unto the place known as “Queimódromo”. In the field, music creates an enjoyable background where everyone dances and laughs among lots of known people. It’s one of those occasions where everyone talks with everyone.

When the first sunbeams finally arrive, a big part of the crowd is still awake, strolling by the city. For those who still have some energy, it’s time to look for something to eat. Although, even the strongest need to rest and soon the streets become empty. Filipa explains that after these nights, “you’ll sleep in the nearest place where it would be possible and it doesn’t matter if it’s in yours or in a friend’s house”. “Anything is worth” she concludes. The next day is going to be huge too and the body needs to rest