Calema, Noble, Zé Amaro, Pedro Mafama, Pete ThaZouk, and the local group Tributo are the highlights of the 35th Cultural Week of Velas, which began yesterday and runs until July 7.
The festivities, which this year have the theme “Tourism and our natural beauty,” kicked off with a parade and performances by philharmonics from Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. They were followed by a concert by Zé Amaro and entertainment by DJs Paiva and Overule.
Today’s program starts with speedboat rides and whaling boats in tow, followed by a judo demonstration. The Beira Ethnographic Group and the Rosais Folklore Group also perform. The main stage of the festivities will feature the Jorgense group Tributo, which has been around for over 25 years, and singer-songwriter Noble. After the concerts, DJs Louis, André Henriques, and Ervilha will provide entertainment in the electronic tent.

Various sporting activities are planned for tomorrow, including beach volleyball (2×2) and veterans’ soccer tournaments, a canoeing event, the Horta-Velas-Horta regatta, and the Motocross Island Championship. There will also be a motorcycle and classic car parade and a parade of marches, three of which are from Terceira. Calema is celebrating 15 years in the business this year, and DJ Pete ThaZouk will perform on the main stage. DJs Deeznuts and Tio Jel will perform in the electronic tent.
Next Sunday, the Horta-Velas-Horta regatta, a beach soccer tournament, and a Dog Walk will start. Animals from the São Jorge Intermunicipal Official Collection Center will participate.

There’s also a bullfight on the Velas commercial pier, street entertainment by the Back to the Funk group, and “cantigas ao desafio,” with the participation of Bruno Oliveira, Marcelo Dias (Terceira), Samuel Martins (Terceira), and Rodrigo Pavão (São Miguel), accompanied on the Portuguese guitar by Alcindo Bettencourt and on the guitar by Joelma Sequeira.
The Velas Cultural Week closes with a performance by Pedro Mafama on the main stage and DJs Ervilha and Melo in the electronic tent.
During the festivities, another Triângulo Kiosk will be located, which will promote the excellent products of the three islands of the Triângulo and increase the links between them.
The Velas Cultural Association, in partnership with the municipality of Velas, organizes the first major summer festival in the Triangle (referring to the three islands of São Jorge, Pico, and Faial).

in Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director. — photos from online sources

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.