The rhythm of the parade made the breasts of all generations in Porto vibrate

A grandmother who is a grandmother celebrates as if she were the finalist. It was from a balcony on Camões Street that Maria Joaquina Gomes and Maria Oliveira, 87 and 91 years old, respectively, lived the excitement and euphoria of the Queima das Fitas Parade in Porto, where the celebration was ageless.

“It’s a great pride. I couldn’t be happier,” shared Maria Joaquina Gomes, grandmother of medical school finalist Carlota, as she watched the fun of the thousands of students. Even they danced. And, like them, Justino Quaresma also lived the moment with intensity. At 56 years old, he is in his 3rd year of Social Work. “Now that I’m here I’m going to live it all,” guaranteed the student, nicknamed “papi” by his classmates. The integration was easy: “I have a young spirit and I get along with everyone.

Next year, it’s Justino’s turn to cartooning. “The degree comes at 56, but it’s never too late,” stressed Justino, adding that the course is an investment in the area where he has worked “since he was a kid. He was a boy scout, works for the Red Cross, and is on the team that protects against risky behavior during the Queimódromo nights.

Next to the car of the Mechanics course, from the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, there was no differentiation between freshmen and doctors. To replace their attire, there were overalls, which the students signed, “It’s a course tradition. Nowadays, there are no differences between the hierarchies. “Not even for Hannibal,” a stuffed monkey who is the course mascot and who was also dressed up.

“In the front row”

Thousands of people made sure to save their place in the front row to see the students up close. António and Albertina Martinho left Sabugal, in Guarda, four days ago to accompany their son Tiago, a senior in Marketing Management at the University of Maia (UMAIA), to all the Queima das Fitas events. “It is a mix of emotions. I am very happy to be accompanied by my family and friends,” shared Tiago, while his mother was in tears.

In the middle of the party, Rodrigo Beleza, 10 years old, was watching his mother celebrate the completion of his third degree, this time in law. “Mama’s son graduating,” could be read on Rodrigo’s t-shirt, who entertained himself playing with his mother’s top hat and cane.
“I am very excited to be here with my son, so that one day he will also experience this feeling,” said Sónia Resende.

Double feeling

The pride was also felt in the words between Lurdes Pinto and her daughter Ana Rita Pinto, in the last year of UMAIA’s Solicitadoria program. Lurdes’ charm for the academic life “comes from many years ago”. She studied until the 9th grade, but never had the opportunity to continue. For this reason, the feeling was doubled: “It was a dream of mine. Ana Rita is an only child and I had a great desire to see her graduate. And she got it. As a matter of fact, we did it”, expressed her mother.

Not only the finalists had the support of their families in the crowd. Bernardo Bastos entered this year in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. His sister, Beatriz Bastos, could not hide her nostalgia: “I was once in his place and now we switch roles. It’s a pride.”

“it’s Fun”

But to set the pace of the procession you need people like Luís Cunha, driver of the float of the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS).

“It’s a service like the others. It’s fun,” explained the man, a truck driver for 15 years and participating in the parade for the second time.
There were 43 cars in the parade, which required advance organization. “Between picking up the structures and coming to the Republic Square, everything was organized and in turns,” said the driver.

In the café “A Africana”, on Camões Street, there was “a constant coming and going”, even with a “wicket” sale at one of the doors. “The demand on today triples. Both in drink and food,” said Valéria Costa, daughter of the owner of the establishment.