The document summarizes many Portuguese holidays and traditions. It describes how New Year's is celebrated with fireworks at midnight on January 1st. It also discusses Carnival celebrations like parades with costumes and floats. Several religious holidays are mentioned such as Easter, which involves traditions varying by region like folar bread, almonds, and rosemary. It provides details on Independence Day, Christmas Eve traditions of codfish dinner and king cake, and Christmas Day mass and nativity scenes.
2. The New Year is celebrated in almost every
culture. In Portugal we celebrate it by
launching fireworks at midnight of January
1st.
After Christmas and going into the
first week of January, groups of
people will go from house to house
singing the (January songs).
3. In Portugal most of the traditions of carnival are
disappearing, giving rise to Brazilian-style
celebrations. On the other hand, some of the
oldest traditions have persisted and regained
people’s interest. Carnival is often called
“Entrudo”, which means “entry” (of spring).
Brazilian-style
costumes
"matrafonas" (men
Floats with political
masquerading as women) Big heads
comment
4. In Cabanas de Viriato
the bums dance keeps Podence
Lazarim
tradition alive since
1865. Hundreds of Cabanas
de Viriato
people participate in
this event.
In Lazarim, men put on locally hand carved
wooden masks and parade through the village after
which follows the reading of a will in the village's In Podence, Caretos appear in
main square. The will consists of rimming verses groups running and shouting, and
that scorn and curse the young men and women of “robbing” all the wineries.
the village. Their main target are single young
women, who make them climb to
the top of walls and verandas.
The Careto tradition is probably
associated with magical practices
related to agrarian fertility
cults.
5. It’s the Friday before Easter Sunday . It’s
the day when Christians remember the
trial, passion and death of Jesus Christ.
Some .
are very
important in Portuguese culture. There are
inumerous traditions, that vary from place to
place: ,
, , …
6. Braga celebrates with nocturnal
processions, including the Ecce Homo procession
on Maundy Thursday.
farricocos (barefoot
penitents in hooded
Burial Procession of Our Lord on Good Friday tunics).
- in many places
7. Feast of the flowery torches– São Braz de Alportel, Faro
Paschal visits take place in many towns and villages Rosemary and
lavender perfume
the streets
8. Folar da Páscoa - The eggs
symbolize rebirth. The recipe
depends on the region.
Some have meat.
Almonds are always on the table
..with cinammon
sugar coated
almonds
chocolate coated
almonds
9. It’s a very important date for Portuguese people.
on this day, a military attack, in which
, restored democracy after 41
years of an authoritarian dictatorship.
Its purpose was to achieve an eight-hour day
of work. In Portugal, we only started to
celebrate it after April 25th .
10. On this day we celebrate our nation and
honor Luís Vaz de Camões, a 16th century
poet who wrote Os Lusíadas, Portugal's
national epic poem celebrating Portuguese
history and achievements.
11. St. Anthony (1195, Lisbon
Marchas, a parade of folklore Feasts in every traditional
- 1231, Pádua, Italy) - the
and costumes from the city's quarter of the city.
matchmaker saint.
different traditional quarters.
Grilled sardines Pots with basil - the tag has
Multiple marriages got a rhyme written
13. St. Peter - patron
saint of fishermen The popular Marchas (parades) in Seixal
river procession in Montijo
14. Bread
It’s a cultural and religious tradition that takes place in July. The main feature of the
festival is the parade of trays which represent the sixteen parishes in the Municipality.
The procession goes through the main streets of the city for a distance of about 5 km. The
trays are decorated with flowers and bread.
15. This is one of the most well-known flower festivals in Portugal. It takes place in August.
It's a celebration that traditionally only happens when the people want ( usually every
4 years) because its accomplishment depends on the will and voluntary work of the
people . In this celebration the streets of the city are completely covered with flowers.
16. The festivities take place in the week of August 16 and include several parades with
“Gigantones” (big heads), Zés-pereiras (musicians) , and a diverse display of traditional
costumes. The procession includes a fair sailing and attracts many thousands of visitors.
17. Detail of an earring in Viana “filigrana”
(delicate kind of jewelery metalwork)
One of the most beautiful features of this feast are
the traditional costumes. Women parade through
the streets dressed in the traditional Sunday best or
work costume. They wear authentic works of art in
gold. In the past this gold indicated that they were of
marriageable age.
18. Day of the Republic – 5th October
In Portugal, the fifth of October is very important
because it celebrates the date when the Republic
was established, in
In the Catholic Churches the day is in honor of
saints. In Portugal it is traditional door to
door asking for bread for God.
19. It celebrates the end of the Iberian Union
(1580–1640) during which Portugal had
Spanish kings. In independence was
restored.
Holiday – 25 December
Christmas Day
Christmas is the most important
celebration in Portugal. It is a period
dedicated to the family. Traditions vary
from region to region but many of them
are disappearing.
20. The traditional Christmas decoration is the Christmas crib,
called ‘Presépio’, is. The making of Christmas cribs is a part of
Portuguese popular culture, dating back centuries.
In some places people make
a huge bonfire called
'madeiro' or ‘cepo’, on
Christmas Eve.
People open their presents on christmas
eve around midnight or on the morning of
Christmas day.
Most children believe that Father During mass an image of baby
Christmas brings them presents, but some Jesus is brought out, and
years ago, they believed it was Baby Jesus. everyone queues up to kiss it.
21. On Christmas Eve, a family dinner or "Consoada" is celebrated usually with boiled
codfish, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables. The traditional Christmas cake is 'Bolo
Rei' ('King Cake'). It’s a fruitcake in the shape of a wreath.
Codfish “Bolo Rei”
with
cabbage
“Rabanadas” – French toast “Azevias” “Arroz doce” - sweet rice
