A serenata
Na quinta-feira, dia 05 de Maio de 2011, a festa começou cedo. Como tradição, milhares de pessoas se reuniram em volta da Sé Velha para assistir à famosa serenata que dá abertura a semana da Queima das Fitas em Coimbra. O concerto estava programado para 00h, porém as pessoas começaram a chegar por volta das 21h30. Às 23h, o Largo da Sé Velha já estava totalmente ocupado. As pessoas que estavam longe, tentavam achar um espaço entre as ruelas ou subiam em muros e telhados para tentarem ver algo.
Muitas pessoas tiveram que apenas ouvir o som de longe, pois o acesso ao Largo da Sé Velha estava impossível. A serenata durou cerca de 1h15 e terminou com o grito de guerra dos estudantes da Universidade de Coimbra, lançando suas capas pretas para o alto. Nesse mesmo dia, aconteceram os jantares de curso, em que os estudantes dos respectivos cursos se reúnem para jantar e depois descem para assistirem à serenata.
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| Serenata - Queima das Fitas 2011, Coimbra. |
Um costume que não me agradou
Durante todo o concerto, as pessoas faziam silêncio, inclusive nas pausas feitas entre as músicas tocadas. Havia muitos brasileiros prestigiando o evento e como temos o costume de bater palmas para tudo, começamos a bater palmas ao acabar a primeira música e fomos surpreendidos pelas pessoas que nos pediram silêncio. Por um momento cheguei a pensar estar em um velório, mas depois fui me acostumando com a idéia de ficar calado. Dormi!
Perguntei para uma estudante que estava a minha frente o motivo de não poder mostrar que a música estava contagiando e agradando. Ela me respondeu, que como gesto de respeito todos fazem silêncio. Fiquei imaginando como seria um jogo de futebol da copa do mundo, entre Portugal e qualquer outro time, sendo visto por milhares de pessoas e no momento do gol de Portugal, simplesmente… silêncio total. É claro que o futebol não tem nada a ver com a serenata, felizmente, quando se trata de futebol os portugueses são fanáticos como os brasileiros.
O costume de traçar a capa
Na Festa das Latadas que acontece no início dos anos letivos, os estudantes “veteranos” recebem os “calouros” e realizam o batismo, que consiste em levar os estudantes novatos do curso ao Rio Mondego para “batizar”. Cada calouro tem um padrinho ou madrinha, que é um veterano do curso e é ele quem o batiza.
A partir do batismo, os colouros já podem usar a capa preta (estilo Harry Potter), porém não podem traçá-las (jogar uma parte da capa sobre o ombro ficando envolvido por ela). Só poderão traçá-las, após seus respectivos padrinhos e madrinhas traçá-las pela primeira vez após acabar a serenata que abre a festa da Queima das Fitas. Tal feito, simboliza que o calouro já está liberto de toda praxe (trote) e que poderá passar a traçar a capa.
Para mais informações sobre a Queima das Fitas: http://www.queimadasfitas.org/
The serenade
On Thursday, 05 May 2011, the party started early. As a tradition, thousands of people gathered around the Sé Velha the cathedral to watch the famous serenade that is opening the week of Queima das Fitas in Coimbra. The concert was scheduled for 00h, but people began arriving around 21h30. At 23h, the Largo da Sé Velha was already fully occupied. The people who were far from Sé Velha, trying to find a space among the narrow streets, climbed walls and roofs to try to look something.
Many people had to just hear the sound from afar, since access to the square of Sé Velha was impossible. The serenade lasted about 1h15 and ended with the student song from the University of Coimbra launching their black cloaks to the top. The same day occurred the course dinners, where students of these courses meet for dinner and then go down to watch the serenade.
On Thursday, 05 May 2011, the party started early. As a tradition, thousands of people gathered around the Sé Velha the cathedral to watch the famous serenade that is opening the week of Queima das Fitas in Coimbra. The concert was scheduled for 00h, but people began arriving around 21h30. At 23h, the Largo da Sé Velha was already fully occupied. The people who were far from Sé Velha, trying to find a space among the narrow streets, climbed walls and roofs to try to look something.
Many people had to just hear the sound from afar, since access to the square of Sé Velha was impossible. The serenade lasted about 1h15 and ended with the student song from the University of Coimbra launching their black cloaks to the top. The same day occurred the course dinners, where students of these courses meet for dinner and then go down to watch the serenade.
A custom I didn`t like
Throughout the concert people were silent, even in between breaks made the tunes. There were many Brazilians watching the event and as we have the custom to clap for everything, we started to clap to finish the first song and were surprised by the people who asked us to silence. For a moment I considered being in a funeral, but then I got used to the idea of staying silent. I slept!
I asked a student who was in front of me the why I can`t show that the music was infectious and pleasing. She replied that as a gesture of respect for all are silent. I wondered how it would be a game of football world cup, from Portugal to any other team, being watched by thousands of people and when Portugal's goal, simply ... total silence. It is clear that football has nothing to do with the serenade, fortunately, when it comes to soccer fans as the Portuguese are the Brazilians.
Throughout the concert people were silent, even in between breaks made the tunes. There were many Brazilians watching the event and as we have the custom to clap for everything, we started to clap to finish the first song and were surprised by the people who asked us to silence. For a moment I considered being in a funeral, but then I got used to the idea of staying silent. I slept!
I asked a student who was in front of me the why I can`t show that the music was infectious and pleasing. She replied that as a gesture of respect for all are silent. I wondered how it would be a game of football world cup, from Portugal to any other team, being watched by thousands of people and when Portugal's goal, simply ... total silence. It is clear that football has nothing to do with the serenade, fortunately, when it comes to soccer fans as the Portuguese are the Brazilians.
The custom of drawing the cover
On the Festa das Latadas that happens in the early school years, students "veterans" receive "freshmen" and perform baptism, which consists of leading students from beginners to progress at the Rio Mondego "baptize. " Each freshman has a sponsor, who is a veteran of the course and it is he who baptizes him.
From the baptism, the color can already use the black cover (Harry Potter style), but not to outline them (throw a cover over part of the shoulder being engaged by it). Can only to outline them after their godfathers and godmothers to outline them for the first time after finishing the serenade which opens the festival of Queima das Fitas. This done, symbolizes that the freshman is already freed from all usual (trot) and could pass to draw the cover.
For more information about the Queima das Fitas: http://www.queimadasfitas.org/
On the Festa das Latadas that happens in the early school years, students "veterans" receive "freshmen" and perform baptism, which consists of leading students from beginners to progress at the Rio Mondego "baptize. " Each freshman has a sponsor, who is a veteran of the course and it is he who baptizes him.
From the baptism, the color can already use the black cover (Harry Potter style), but not to outline them (throw a cover over part of the shoulder being engaged by it). Can only to outline them after their godfathers and godmothers to outline them for the first time after finishing the serenade which opens the festival of Queima das Fitas. This done, symbolizes that the freshman is already freed from all usual (trot) and could pass to draw the cover.
