The Praia da Vitória Festivities are just around the corner. What can we expect from this edition?
Our aim is that, as in previous years, people in general come to have fun, meet up with friends and family again, in short, socialize, while enjoying a diverse program for each of the 10 days of festivities.

The opening parade is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the festivities. Without giving away the secret, what can you tell us about this year’s parade?
The opening procession will essentially be based on a troubled period in our history. We’ll be celebrating August 11, 1829, and the whole context of the battle against Miguelism, the 195th anniversary of the first great victory of the Liberal Forces against Miguel’s army, who once coveted our Praia for the landing of his troops. With four floats and dozens of extras, the aim was to recreate this remarkable passage in our history.

This year, the festivities are celebrating the 195th anniversary of the battle that gave rise to the name Vitória for the then Vila da Praia. Was it a challenge to tackle this theme? Is it an attractive way to showcase the city’s history?
Yes, without a doubt, and our great intention was to convey this remarkable historical theme and the crucial importance that Praia da Vitória had in this period of turbulence to everyone who visits us, whether daily or during these days of celebration. Some people are unaware of all the ground that has been covered, and it couldn’t have gone unnoticed.

With inflation and financial constraints, which require a balanced management of accounts, were you able to ensure a program of the quality you wanted?
The budget allocated by the council for the festivities is also thought of as a form of investment. It’s notorious that thousands of people visit us at this time of year and, in return, Praia da Vitória is being promoted and increasingly known, along with its hotels, restaurants, and shops, among others, which is really important in many ways. This time, we’ve presented a very diversified program. There are four stages where there will be shows for all ages, and for the little ones, this year we have decided to invest in a new area, the “ExpertKids Zone”, where there will be lots of entertainment with various activities and shows designed especially for them. We guarantee the quality of the program we’ve proposed and all the activities included in it, but we’d just like to highlight something new: a fantastic Sunset on our magnificent sandy beach, which will take place on August 6.

Some advocate spreading the festivities around the city, as happens, for example, in Angra do Heroísmo, with the Sanjoaninas. What’s your opinion? Does the current model still work?
This may be a question to consider in the future, but in my opinion, the success that these festivities have enjoyed over the years is entirely linked to their current location. I’m not indifferent to the importance that, in my opinion, the Bay of Praia da Vitória has for these festivals to be the success we’re used to. It’s almost unanimous that their location is ideal, above all because it makes it possible to be present at various moments of the program in just a few steps. At the same time, nobody disagrees that there are things that can and should be worked on so that they can be improved and modernized over the years, always giving way to change and innovation, which are also necessary.

In Diáro 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 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.

The program for this year’s festivities