City Parties are back from May 20th to June 12th
Senhor de Matosinhos returns this year to its traditional format, after two years marked by the constraints imposed by the pandemic. From the abundance, to the fireworks of the dolls, from the carousels to the Feira da Louça, from the fireworks to the exhibitions, concerts, folklore, grilled sardines, the Handicraft Fair, beautifully decorated streets, nothing will be missing this year for this long-awaited return to the Festivals. of the City. From May 20th to June 12th, Matosinhos transforms to receive the visit of about one million people. The great attraction of the pilgrimage is the devotion to Senhor de Matosinhos. A highlight, therefore, is the Solemn Procession of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, scheduled for 4:00 pm on June 5, which will travel through several arteries towards the Senhor do Padrão Monument. The night of the fire, on June 4th, will be memorable with a return full of news. Miguel Araújo with Joel Cleto, David Carreira, the film “The Origin of Vieira in Praça Guilherme Pinto, photographic exhibition by Francisco Teixeira on Senhor de Matosinhos, an afternoon of fado and folklore, theatre, music, exhibitions, this year the program of the Parties have been prepared in detail for all tastes and ages. “This grandiose popular festival, one of the most vivid symbols of our identity, has its origins in the image of Senhor de Matosinhos. From the formerly Bouças Monastery to Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, many miracles, legends and above all different manifestations of faith are told. The wealth of this religious heritage, which can be witnessed at the Museu do Bom Jesus da Misericórdia de Matosinhos, largely goes beyond our city and even our country, as demonstrated by its devotion throughout the world. The invitation is therefore launched to dive into this sea of popular culture, watch the procession, observe the carefully decorated altars and visit each of the street vendors”, explained Luísa Salgueiro, Mayor. For Fernando Rocha, Councilor for Culture and President of ANCIMA – Association for the Animation of the City of Matosinhos, “it is great to see the city celebrating again. It was two difficult years, tormented by the Covid-19 pandemic that devastated the country and the world and prevented the realization of what is considered by many to be the biggest popular party in the country, the Romaria do Senhor de Matosinhos. It is, therefore, with a special feeling that the municipality embraces the festivities this year.”