The goal of this activity was to promote part of the history of a beloved and famous tradition that started in the University of Coimbra, the use of the academic gown.
Through a video featuring different ESN volunteers wearing their own academic gowns, international students learned about the history of the academic gown.
The activity was organised with the support of the Conselho de Veteranos, a group of elected older students of the University of Coimbra who oversee the implementation and correct usage of the academic gown and of other traditions related to student life in Coimbra. They provided us with a text about the history and usage of the gown, which our volunteers translated from Portuguese to English.
These volunteers also recorded themselves narrating the text, and filmed themselves wearing the gown, showcasing the differences between a male and a female gown, certain details (like tying the tie, for example) and the different ways in which you can wear the cape, which is part of the gown.
Then, the videos were put together with the narration, and the final cut of the video was posted on our Instagram page. It had great feedback from everyone who watched.