Excitement and nostalgia flood Porto's heart on the 'Cortejo' day

Despite the 'Monumental Serenata' and the 'Missa da Bênção das Pastas' being rainy, the most anticipated moment of the week, the 'Cortejo Académico' (academic parade) was irradiated by a warm sun that delighted everyone. Amid tears - of joy for those who still have a way to go at the Academy and of nostalgia for those who are going on to other destinations - thousands of the city's students painted Baixa's streets as they euphorically closed another chapter in their lives.

For some it's the last goodbye, for others it's just a 'see you later'. Be that as it may, for everyone the time to pass the 'tribuna' is eagerly awaited after a long walk under the torrid sun. Until the final moment arrives, the students celebrate the end of another academic year on top of the 43 floats of their respective educational institutions - adorned with paintings and phrases alluding to the main problems that affect them, such as the lack of student housing and the low salaries they will find in the labour market - drink alcohol and make friends for life with heartfelt hugs.

'It's a mixture of emotions. It's like saying goodbye to academic life, but above all, I'm leaving with a heart full of memories and friends for life,' says Sofia Peniche, a final year student of the Social Work degree. After three years of dedication to books, the 21-year-old student explains that taking part in the 'Cortejo' puts her academic life behind her into perspective. 'It makes you realise that all the effort was worth it. From now on, it's about trying to fight for our dreams,' says the student, who now wants to enter the world of work.

'Being a freshman is being myself'

For Pedro Pacheco, a first-year student of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto (FLUP), there is still a lot to do. With the desire to become a teacher, the freshman has a difficult future ahead of him: 'It's not my fight yet, but it will be,' he says, concerned about the outlook for the class. For now, however, it's time to celebrate. Embraced by three of his fellow students, and with his hands on his chest, he was thrilled with the 'Cortejo' day. 'This is incredible for me. Being here with my mates. Being a freshman is being myself. It's been a year full of emotions' and it's culminating in the best way possible.

Dressed to the nines, from the top of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto's (FEUP) float, João Malva celebrates the end of another stage with his colleagues and breathes a sigh of relief, since he doesn't think he'll be saying goodbye to the Academy until next year. Until then, the expectation is clear: 'To finish my degree and to have fun,' he confesses. The parade represents 'the closing of a cycle after a year of hard work. It's the pinnacle of all the effort,' says the aspiring computer engineer enthusiastically.

Pride and fear

The protagonists of the celebration are not just the students. Families and friends are also thrilled by the celebrations, in a moment of pride but also of concern.

Felismina Pereira, mother of Duarte Neves, a final year student of Geography, says that 'it's a source of pride and emotion' to be present at yet another stage in her son's life, but she doesn't hide her 'sadness at the uncertainty of what may lie ahead'. But she reaffirms: 'today is a day for celebration'. The rest is yet to come.

As happened last year, the 'Cortejo da Queima das Fitas' started at Praça da República, travelled down Rua de Camões and culminated at Avenida dos Aliados, bringing together thousands of people, including students, family members and onlookers who wanted to attend the biggest student celebration in the country. On the balcony in front of the City Council, as usual, the final year students were greeted by the mayor, Rui Moreira, the city councillors and the rectors of the different higher education institutions.

The celebration doesn't stop there. Until Saturday 11 May, the party continues at the Queimódromo.