COMENIUS DAVID MAGALHAES - 9� C SILVANA

Festas Populares : 

Festas Populares S.João do Porto

INTRODUCTION : 

INTRODUCTION Popular saints festivities are in June. The 24th of June is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It is the patron of many lands but the city of Porto is the most celebrated on the night of St. John.On the streets, everyone holds the leek, plastic hammers, buy basil and eat sardines. Moreover, it is with good roasted sardines and a good broth that everything begins!After midnight, up in the air beautiful fireworks illuminate the evening.

History of a Holiday : 

History of a Holiday The feast of St. João in Porto is already old. The origin of the Christian tradition dates back to ancient times. But it was only on the twentieth century that the June 24 became a municipal holiday in this city. And all thanks to a republican law and a referendum made to the inhabitants of Porto, sponsored by The Associated Press.On 21st January, it was posted on the front page of the newspaper and open to the opinion Porto`s inhabitants, explaining the whole situation and manner in which was going to be done.On February 4th , 1911,the final totals of the referendum were published: on June 24th was the most voted by the people. It was therefore the winner and the final date to celebrate Saint John regional holiday.

S.João do Porto – History : 

S.João do Porto – History S. João do Porto, friar born in Porto, (IX century), lived his religious life in the region of Tuy, in front of Valencia, and was buried in Tuy. There are still kept his relics, of great veneration among the faithful, who believed that S. John would save them from fevers. There is a tradition that the head of S. João do Porto, was brought in by Queen Mafalda in the XII century, to the Church of San Salvador Gandra and part of that relic would have been taken to the chapel of "Santa Head," the Church of Our Lady of Consolation in the city of Porto. We concluded that the date of June 24th may be explained by the Saint´s birth, occurred on the same day June 24th, and the dedicated people throughout the ages had a strong devotion and great parties, kept still very much alive the tradition of bonfires at S. John night replacing the pagan solstice celebrations.

S. João do Porto - Festa : 

S. João do Porto - Festa S. João do Porto is a party that arises spontaneously, nothing is agreed, although people get ready to celebrate during the day. It is usually after dinner, consisting of grilled sardines, boiled potatoes and peppers and ribs or pork steak on the grill, accompanied by excellent salads and watered down with good wine , of course! After the dinner, groups of friends begin to meet, organizing S. John walking stroles through specific places in the city. People bring to the party garlic leeks and lemon sauce. But today the “ weapons” are different. They are plastic hammers, hard and noisy, which are already part of the tradition.

Slide 6: 

A few years ago, S. John was limited to one area of the city. Nowadays, S. John spread throughout the city. It also goes into the clubs, pubs and good restaurants. It has become more cosmopolitan and in some cases more selective. Modernized, sophisticated and in some ways, followed the times and tried tp fit in to recent times..

Slide 7: 

The S. João do Porto is a party where rich and poor live an entire night of brotherhood and where the party is constant. In the neighbourhoods, the party continues and the organizing committees of each ball keeps the lively spirit awaken until late at night.

Slide 8: 

Throughout the night, hundreds of balloons are released and a lot of fire, fireworks are burned. By midnight, the traditional fireworks, Fireworks sponsored by the City Hall, by River Douro and the King Luis I Bridge is the delight of thousands of residents and visitors who come from around the world to watch. The fireworks show takes about 40 minutes in the middle of the river in boats specially prepared, accompanied by music in a multimedia show very beautiful and worth seeing. In the end, and already late at night, you see people seek the nearest bakery where freshly baked bread, still warm is eaten as the final treat of the night.

Slide 9: 

The toughest, usually young people like strolling around the city's seaside and in the end go to the sand and wait for the sunrise. On the 24th June - St. John's Day (City Holiday), you can not miss the “Rabelo” Boat Race . It is an impressive show. Rabelo Boats that throughout the years remain anchored in the Ribeira, open their sails, each with its brand of Port and perform a show race on the beautiful Douro by Porto. It is the only day of the year where you can witness this spectacle.

Slide 10: 

David Magalhães Silvana Machado Tatiana Machado 9ºC E.B 2/3 DE PERAFITA – PORTUGAL 2009/2010