Course opening

Who can participate in the procession parade?

1.- University lecturers who hold a doctorate and are in academic dress.

2.- The members of the Peno of the Board of Governors and of the Boards of Directors of the Centres who are not doctors, who will parade in morning dress for men and in dark suits for women.

Origin of the ceremonial

The first universities were established by the Church, which is why some parts of the academic ceremonial have their antecedents in the Church. Specifically, the opening of the academic year was the annual renewal of vows with this institution, which granted the degrees. The ceremony was linked to the application de Gracia to begin the academic year, which is why it began with a Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition that is maintained at the University of Navarre.

Order of the procession

Another characteristic with ecclesial origins is the order of the procession. The academic centers are represented at the head of the procession. Then, the doctors parade by Schools, in reverse order of the date of creation: first the youngest -Education and Psychology - and in last position, the oldest - Law -. Next come the vice-rectors, from youngest to oldest at position, and the procession is closed by President, accompanied by University Secretary and civil authorities.

Academic Suit

The academic costume is analogous to the talar habit of ecclesiastics. From the Middle Ages until the 17th century, the only difference between the two was the colours, which some relate to the distinctive tones of the guilds and colleges of the Middle Ages average. White was established for Theology, green for Canon Law, red for Law, yellow for Medicine and light blue for Philosophy or Arts. Doctors with a double doctorate wear a biretta and two-coloured buttons.

Other costumes

Those who received their degree scroll from doctorate at foreign universities wear the academic costumes of those universities campus. The parade includes some from academic centres in the USA, the UK, Sweden and other countries.

The colours of the Schools