The Bitard is a
fabulous animal. It is the symbol of the ' or Order of the Venerated Bitard (May He be Blessed!), a
student association
A students' union, also known by many other names, is a student organization present in many colleges, universities, and high schools. In higher education, the students' union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to social ...
of
University of Poitiers
The University of Poitiers (UP; french: Université de Poitiers) is a public university located in Poitiers, France. It is a member of the Coimbra Group. It is multidisciplinary and contributes to making Poitiers the city with the highest stud ...
(France) created in the 1920s. The members themselves are also called Bitards and in some occasions they wear a cape colored according to their rank in the Order, along with a
faluche
A ''faluche'' is a traditional cap worn by students in France. It is a black velvet beret, decorated with colored ribbons and badges.
Several student groups wear the ''faluche'', especially '' bitards'', '' basochards'', and '' faluchards''. ...
, the traditional French
Student cap
In various European countries, student caps of different types are, or have been, worn either as a marker of a common identity, as is the case in the Nordic countries, or to identify the wearer as a member of a smaller body within the larger g ...
. The Bitards' faluche has the particularity of being decorated with a
chevron and having its own code for the signification of insignias. The folklore of the Order refers to
François Rabelais as the word ' appears twice in hunting outcomes in ''
Pantagruel''.
Each year, the Order organizes a one-week festival, called the ' (69th Students' Week). Various festive activities happen during this week, including a procession,
drinking events and a Bitard hunting.
Notes and references
{{reflist
Drinking culture
Student culture
History of Poitiers
University folklore