Coimbra student republic faces eviction after 72 years

A student home Royal Pyn-Güyns Republic, founded over 70 years ago, launched a fundraising campaign to try to buy the property where it lies, in the light of the eviction notification by the landlord.

The campaign, recently published on the crowdfunding platform Gofundme, seeks to collect donations to bear expenses associated with legal advice, bank loan for a possible purchase of the building and renovation works of the house, among others, refers to the publication consulted by the agency Lusa.

That historic student republic founded in 1954 had as resident Alberto Martins, central figure of the Academic Association of Coimbra in student protests that led to the academic crisis of 1969, with the house having been the scene of several meetings in this fight against the portuguese dictatorship.

In statements to Lusa, Guilherme São Pedro, formerly republico, tells that the risk of leaving the current building is already old, recalling that the real estate was put up for sale by its owner.

Today, the Royal Republic of the Pyn-Güyns has a eviction notification from the landlord, with deadline to leave the house by the end of this yearhe did.

In view of the precarious situation very old, the republic has a formalized association and a fund consisting of old and current members with the objective of buying that property to ensure the continuity of that house of self-managed students, clarified.

“We have organized ourselves for years and we have a quota system”, said, referring that the republic, recognized as an entity of historical interest by the Coimbra Chamber, also seeks to raise financial support from the municipality and the University.

In order to raise 50,000 euros with the campaign, Guilherme São Pedro explained that there is already a base “engaged between republicals and ancients”.

“ This is a way for society to show its support for the republic,” he said.

The former resident stated that the Royal Republic of the Pyn-Güyns already has legal support, refusing to comment, for now, on any information about a possible dispute with the landlord, believing that everything can be resolved and that the continuity of that historic student republic be ensured.