Feast of the Matriculation

Matriculation, Feast of the

FebruaryThe Feast of the Matriculation is a noisy and lighthearted celebration for university students in Italy. It is observed in various university cities, but the festivities are especially lively in Padua, where everyone in town as well as students from other parts of the country participate. The students march through the streets of Padua in noisy groups wearing the many-colored hats of their respective colleges. They all congregate at the famous CaffÉ Pedrocchi, where the celebration continues. Although no one is exactly sure what gave rise to this feast, it is apparently a very old tradition.
CONTACTS:
Italian Government Tourist Board
630 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1565
New York, NY 10111
212-245-5618; fax: 212-586-9249
www.italiantourism.com
SOURCES:
FestEur-1961, p. 114