Happy 127º birthday, students of Coimbra!

It’s often said that Coimbra is more than just its university. B ut there’s no denying the importance of this traditional institution in Coimbra’s history. T he students’ black capes, academic celebrations, rites of integration, Coimbra’s Song… It has all part been part of the city’s tradition for dozens of years, largely thanks to the Associação Académica de Coimbra (AAC), which celebrates its 127th anniversary in November.

The true origin of the AAC dates back to the 1830s. The birth of the association is linked to the founding of the Dramatic Academy, whose history was a big part of the city’s development until the institution officially turned into the Associação Académica de Coimbra in 1887. Several years later, the AAC maintains this status and is extremely proud of its unique history, especially because of their struggle against dictatorship and repression. That’s right: the AAC is not just a symbol of integration and tradition, it’s also a symbol of strength and endurance.

The example given by the Academic Crisis of 1969 is enough to prove it. E ven during the P ortuguese dictatorship, Coimbra’s students demanded democratic elections that allowed them to freely choose the next president of the Association. Alberto Martins and his list “To the Council of the Republic” won. However, the relationship between the AAC’s new democratic leadership and the Portuguese government got even worse during the first time government officials visited Coimbra. It was during that same visit that Alberto Martins asked for permission to speak in front of the officials and ended up being arrested by the police. Until today this period is known as the Academic Crisis of 1969.

These are all historical moments that can be remembered at the Academic Museum of Coimbra! This is the first and only museum entirely devoted to Coimbra’s academic life. The institution was established in 1951, following an exhibition organized by the AAC and the Central Committee of the ‘Queima das Fitas’ of 1950. The museum can be visited today at the Colégio de São Jerónimo, in the city’s historical center. So do not miss the opportunity to learn more about the history of the AAC firsthand! You can visit the museum between Monday and Friday, from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm.