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We celebrate SÃO JOÃO!

2021

Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate the biggest party in Porto, São João!

Officially, it is a Catholic festival celebrating the birth of São João Batista and centering on the mass and procession of São João, on June 24th. The festival of São João of Oporto has its origins in the summer solstice and initially it was a pagan festival. Later, the Church Christianized this pagan festival and attributes São João to it as patron saint.

With festivals and festivals all over the city opening the summer, São João is one of the most celebrated Popular Saints by the portuguese people!

Nobody is able to refuse the invitation: people are in the most typical neighborhoods, decorated with arches and colorful balloons, live music and many food stalls prepared to order. The dish of the day is unique everywhere, and the nose doesn't deceive: it's even the smell of the delicious grilled sardines, placed on a slice of bread or cornbread, the grilled "bifanas" and the green broth with a slice of chorizo. A real delight for lovers of the most typical flavors and smells!

When it comes to celebrations, Porto has very peculiar uses and customs. Don't be surprised if you end up being surprised with a "hammer" to the head: it is customary at joanine parties to hit the head with a plastic hammer on the head of the revelers who join the crowd. However, the high point of the celebrations is much more harmless and much more surprising: at midnight, the spectacular fireworks start over the Douro river and small paper balloons are launched over the Ribeira quay, creating one of the most beautiful celebrations of the Popular Festivals! it ends up next to the beach to see the sun rise or, for the bravest, a morning swim to cool off — just as tradition says!

"São João, São João, Que bela festa a da nossa cidade! Neste dia não falta música nem martelinhos, E muito menos a deliciosa sardinha no pão!"

Happy holidays to all "portuenses"!

A huge HUUUUUG! Fatima C. Brizio

WE have your dream TRAVEL

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