Imposition of Insignia keeps tradition alive to kick off the Latada Parade
New students and finalists celebrated one of Coimbra's oldest academic traditions.
The Imposition of Insignia ceremony at the Pátio das Escolas (Schools Courtyard) marked the start of the Latada Parade 2025, celebrating one of Coimbra’s oldest academic traditions and bringing together both finalists and new students of the University of Coimbra.
“Tradition” was the word most often heard in the Pátio, both before and after the ceremony. The Porta Férrea (Iron Gate) opened to more than a thousand students, marking the symbolic start of the highlight of Festa das Latas: the parade that brings together finalists and freshers in a vibrant celebration of Coimbra’s student life. Despite the heat and bright sunshine, the Pátio welcomed everyone who didn’t want to miss a single moment of this long-standing tradition in the city of students.
It was time for the soon-to-be graduates to attach the grelo, a narrow ribbon in the colour of their faculty, to their black leather folders, known as pastas académicas. “The grelo is the insignia of academic merit,” explains the Dux Veteranorum of the University of Coimbra (UC), Matias Correia. Within Coimbra’s academic customs, it symbolises “that a student is in the final year of their degree.”
With a loud cry of “EFE-ERRE-Á” (the traditional UC students chant), the Latada Parade began. Dressed in colourful costumes and with more or fewer cans tied around their ankles, the new students filled the streets of Coimbra, celebrating the start of their academic journey.
During the parade, in addition to their brand-new grelo, students carry a turnip in their black leather folder, a tradition that dates back to 1903. In March of that year, in what became known as the “turnip uprising,” women vendors in the Dom Pedro V marketplace protested against taxes, and UC students joined them. Since then, every year students buy turnips from the women of the Dom Pedro V market to show their loyalty to the cause.
João Latour, from the Faculty of Law, says, “this tradition keeps Coimbra alive as a student city; it’s always a moment of friendship and togetherness that stays with us throughout our journey in the city and our faculties.” The Law student hopes that “future generations this tradition alive, so this doesn’t fade away,” adding that “it’s one of Coimbra’s greatest assets.”
Rita Morais, from the Faculty of Economics, joined in “because it’s tradition” and wanted “to be part of it.” Maria Moreira, also from Economics, said she came for the tradition as well, to carry her grelo and the turnip to share with classmates, godchildren and even her academic “family.” “It’s a beautiful tradition, and we were happy to be part of it”, she added.
