History

Seven passages, thirty-plus years.

From May 1992 to today. Seven moments of the Estudantina Universitária de Lisboa — founding, albums, festivals, sisterhoods — told in the order they happened.

The gift I want is a Serenade by the Estudantina.
Amália RodriguesHonoris Causa member, 1994

199201 / 07

Founding

May 1992. Five tunos from the Lisbon academy — mandolins by Pedro "Bart" Machado and Luís "Panças" Caçador, accordion by José "Bob" Teixeira, guitars by Vítor "Alex Van Kundera" Carvalhal and José "Caldas" Cardoso — joined by the percussions of Pedro "Pandeiras" Mousinho. The Estudantina Universitária de Lisboa is born. That November, the official preview at the Aula Magna of the UNL rectory shares the second-half stage with Carlos Paredes — the father of the Portuguese guitar.

199302 / 07

Serenata das Fitas

The official debut at GarTejo coincides with the release of the first album, "Serenata das Fitas". Hits like "Mulher Gorda" cement the Estudantina's role — academic, national culture, stages abroad. It was here to stay.

199503 / 07

Vivá Paródia

The second album is unveiled at the Coliseu dos Recreios. Amália Rodrigues — "a Tia" — and Ângelo "o Big" Granja are named Honoris Causa members. Daniel "o Tíbias" Gouveia and Rui "Multiópticas" Veloso, Honoris Virtuosis. "Contradanças", with Rui Veloso, becomes the anthem of the Lisbon Academic Association.

199804 / 07

Olisipo & Passo Fundo

The Estudantina hosts the first edition of Olisipo, its own tuna festival — and a lifelong sisterhood begins with the Tuna de Veterinária de León. The same year, the group crosses the Atlantic for the International Folklore Festival of Passo Fundo, Brazil — returning in 2000 and 2006. The 2nd and 3rd Olisipo editions, in 2000 and 2002, gather tunas from Portugal, Spain, and Puerto Rico.

200305 / 07

Em Viagem

Third album, unveiled on 18 November at Teatro São Luiz, as a benefit gala for the Associação de Apoio aos Doentes Depressivos e Bipolares. On stage: Rui Veloso, Fernando Tordo, Kátia Guerreiro, Júlio Pereira, and the Companhia Nacional de Bailado Contemporâneo. Still cited as one of the most balanced records of the tuna scene.

201406 / 07

PORTUGAL de Lés-a-Lés

A new show dedicated to Portuguese traditional music, touring the country from north to south. In 2015 and 2016, regional segments of the show are filmed on location — Trás-os-Montes in Miranda do Douro — premiered at the Manoel de Oliveira hall of Cinema São Jorge.

202507 / 07

Thirty-three years on

More than three decades singing Lisbon. Honorary members, three studio albums, in-house festivals, sisterhoods across borders. A black ribbon passed from generation to generation — the repertoire of what is still left to sing.