Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with religious services and pro-
cessions by day, and feasting,
music and dancing by night.
*
Ponta Delgada
Top 10 Festive
Traditions
!
Street Decorations
When streets are turned
into tunnels of flowers, it's a
sure sign that a festival is on
the way.
Another important religious
festival is held in Ponta Delgada
(see p78)
on the first Sunday in
September, when pilgrims from
all over the island come to pray to
the Bom Jesus (“Good Jesus”), a
figure of Christ believed to have
miraculous powers.
(
Wine Festival
@
Festive Greenery
Flower garlands hang from
poles wrapped in branches of
sweet bay.
#
Flags and Light Bulbs
Bright white bulbs light up
the night, and Madeira's flag -
a red cross on a white back-
ground - is everywhere.
$
Firecrackers
In mid September, the grape
harvest is celebrated in Estreito
de Câmara de Lobos, with folk
music and demonstrations of
grape-crushing done the old-fash-
ioned way - with bare feet. There
are also special wine-related
menus and events.
)
Nossa Senhora da
Exploding firecrackers
mark the start of a village fes-
tival (or a victory by one of
the local football teams).
%
Processions and
Sermons
Before the fun begins, the
serious bit: a religious service
to honour the patron saint.
^
Barbecues
Piedade
The church on the hill above the
beach at Prainha in eastern
Madeira is locked for most of the
year, but on the third Sunday of
September, the fishermen of
Caniçal bring a statue of the Vir-
gin by boat from their parish for
a special service, before return-
ing to Caniçal for a party.
No village festival is com-
plete without delicious beef
kebabs, barbecued in an old
oil barrel.
&
Bolo de Caco
The kebabs are eaten with
spongy
bolo de caco
bread, a
soft leavened flatbread, baked
on top of a stone oven.
*
Wine
Festivals are also a chance
to sample local wines (and
cider) that are not sold
commercially.
(
Wall of Hope
At the Flower Festival,
children make a wish and pin
posies to a board in front of
the town hall.
)
Music and Dance
Brass, accordion and wind
bands, known as
filarmónicas,
,
provide the music for dancing
the night away.
Atlantic Festival
55
