The annual Praia da Vitória Festivities ended precisely as they began, with lots of joy, music, and people walking the streets.

Vânia Ferreira, Mayor of Praia da Vitória (CMPV), told the Diário Insular newspaper that the balance of the festivities “is very positive.”

“It is with great satisfaction that we close the 2023 Festivities, realizing that there was already a consolidated model, but all the new investment made by this executive, such as the green zone, which has once again proved to be a success, makes us very satisfied with this change,” she said.

According to Mayor Ferreira, the investment has allowed institutions and entrepreneurs to “generate business,” something that has been “very fruitful” despite “some doubts about the proximity of the music venues.”

“In that sense, there is great satisfaction because it was a change made last year, and it already showed that we were on the right track. This year was again a success after some investments and modifications,” added Vânia Ferreira.

The Mayor stressed that the whole process was “much work,” but given the “acceptance of the public” and the people who visited the municipality, the feeling is one of “great satisfaction.”

“We must realize that even when other festivals occur in the region, we always have an audience. Praia was full of people every day, and that’s very gratifying,” she said.

Vânia Ferreira, thanking the entire municipal team for their work, said that the parades were “the highlights” of the festival and were carefully planned to “reach all age groups.”

NEXT YEAR

Vânia Ferreira stressed that it is crucial to maintain this year’s level and that after the “meticulous and cautious” organization of the 2023 edition, 2024 “will be even better.”

“Our dedication and investment will certainly be at the same level. We have a year to plan all of this, and we’ll introduce the new coordination team very soon,” she added.

The Mayor of Praia da Vitória also stressed that taking this year into account, it was clear that “regardless of the financial fragility” that exists in the municipality, “the festivities are always a must.”

This news story is from Diário Insular, José Lourenço, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Medial Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno.

Selected pictures of the Festas da Praia, 2023, from the Festas da Praia Facebook page.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA