Queima das Fitas
The Queima das Fitas (translation: Burning of the Ribbons) is a traditional festivity of the students of the University of Coimbra, in Coimbra, Portugal. It is organized by a commission of students belonging to the Associação Académica de Coimbra - the university students association of the University of Coimbra. It celebrates the end of graduation courses, symbolized by the burning of the ribbons with the colors of all the eight faculties of the university.
It takes place at the start of the second semester (usually around May) and it is probably the biggest student party in all Europe. It lasts for 8 days, one for each University of Coimbra Faculty: Letras (Humanities), Direito (Law), Medicina (Medicine), Ciências (Science), Farmácia (Pharmacy), Economia (Economics), Psicologia (Psychology) and Desporto (Sports). Each year during the Queima das Fitas period, a series of concerts and performances are held, turning Coimbra in a lively and vibrant city.
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