In the context of various other national events, which recognise the aggregating importance that authors such as Camilo, Eça de Queirós and Camões have not only in terms of linguistic expression, but also in the formation of personal character and national collective identity, the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences decided, on the initiative of the lecturers of its Degree in Portuguese Studies, to open a competition on the three authors and their literary creations to secondary school students from schools in the northern region. Students are challenged not only to read the works and do research on the authors, gaining access to plural and scientifically validated knowledge, but also to deepen their understanding of their inter-influences, to reflect on the importance of their legacy in stabilising and spreading the Portuguese language, and to debate their place in Portuguese culture throughout the ages and in our own time.

The competition is a sequence of three themed surveys, which can be accessed and answered online, plus a qualifying round. The first three sessions were held online, by filling in a limited time (25 minutes) survey at 5pm on three Sundays: 16 March (on Camilo Castelo Branco), 13 April (on Eça de Queirós) and 11 May (on Luís de Camões).

The qualifying round will be held in person at UCP's Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences on the morning of Saturday 5 July.

On the same day, the Prize Giving Session will take place, which will recognise the merit of the three students who obtained the best results from the sum of their marks in the four sessions.

Each of the three students will also secure a prize for their Portuguese language teacher and the school library.

All the prizes are sponsored by Farmácia Narcisa!