Inspection day
In the old days, going to the military inspection was a day of great festivity for the young men of the municipality.
This story, told by his uncle Américo Correia, took place in the first half of the 20th century.
At the time, it was customary for young people to gather in each town and walk to the county seat. Together they sang songs and were accompanied by the sounds of concertinas. Everywhere they went, there was always a stop at the tavern and a few cheers, well washed down with the region's good wine, were said to greet the respective parishes.
One year, the boys from Forninhos, Dornelas and Cortiçada were already celebrating in the Coruche tavern when one of them, certainly drunk on wine, started shouting:
- Viva Forninhos!
- Hooray! - the others replied.
- Long live Dornelas!
- Hooray!
- Long live Cortiçada!
- Long live Coruche!
- Die Coruche!
At that moment, the tavern fell silent and, after a few minutes, the bell rang. As soon as the macabre words were uttered, one of the boys ran to the church to gather the people. The people responded promptly.
In no time at all, a violent battle broke out between the town, which felt insulted, and the young men from the neighboring parishes, who ended up fleeing, but not before receiving a severe flogging.
For years, the young people of these parishes changed their route, going via Valverde. But camaraderie eventually won out and the tradition returned to the way it was, with the youngsters once again passing through Coruche, first timidly and quietly, then already partying with the realejos and concertinas setting the pace.
One year, the boys from Forninhos, Dornelas and Cortiçada were already celebrating in the Coruche tavern when one of them, certainly drunk on wine, started shouting:
- Viva Forninhos!
- Hooray! - the others replied.
- Long live Dornelas!
- Hooray!
- Long live Cortiçada!
- Long live Coruche!
- Die Coruche!
At that moment, the tavern fell silent and, after a few minutes, the bell rang. As soon as the macabre words were uttered, one of the boys ran to the church to gather the people. The people responded promptly.
In no time at all, a violent battle broke out between the town, which felt insulted, and the young men from the neighboring parishes, who ended up fleeing, but not before receiving a severe flogging.
For years, the young people of these parishes changed their route, going via Valverde. But camaraderie eventually won out and the tradition returned to the way it was, with the youngsters once again passing through Coruche, first timidly and quietly, then already partying with fanfares setting the pace.