University of Coimbra Prize awarded to Herman José

The humourist and TV presenter Herman José is the winner of the University of Coimbra Prize 2025. The UC Prize, sponsored by the Santander Portugal Foundation, will be awarded on the 1st of March during the solemn ceremony commemorating the 735th anniversary of the University of Coimbra.

"It is my great pleasure to announce that Herman José is the winner of the University of Coimbra Prize 2025, chosen by the jury's unanimous decision. He is a unique figure in Portuguese society who, for decades, has been making us laugh and reflect on the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of being Portuguese. Herman has marked several golden eras of Portuguese television. Throughout his career, which celebrated 50 years last year—so fittingly coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the birth and consolidation of democratic Portugal after 25 April—he has created and inspired new forms of humour, shaken up beliefs and mentalities, and always upheld freedom of expression. We all owe him a lot of smiles and laughter,” said the rector of the UC, Amílcar Falcão, who chairs the jury for the award.