“All Roads” lead to Praia da Vitória, Terceira-Azores.

The Praia Festivities 2024 began yesterday, and today will be one of their highlights, with the opening parade.
Yesterday, at the inauguration of the Atlantic Gastronomy and Craft Fairs, the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira, said that now “all roads lead to Praia da Vitória”.
“This is due to the commitment and professionalism of the organizers and, above all, the cultural identity of Praia da Vitória, based on knowing how to welcome and receive,” she said.
“The success of the Gastronomy and Handicraft Fairs is undeniable, a model that has already been consolidated and is a benchmark at the national and international level, an undeniable contribution to the local economy and one that is renowned for its quality and excellence here and abroad,” she added.
For the Mayor: “This is by no means an easy job, but it’s always done with dedication for this city, for this community, not just now, but throughout the year”.

“And this is commendable, fundamental, and transversal to these Festivities, which are always intended to be rich in experiences, in sharing moments and, fundamentally, in creating memories,” she said.
At the Gastronomy Fair, organized by the Professional School of Praia da Vitória, are the restaurants Carne Arouquesa (Arouca), Do dia para a noite (Madeira), O Académico (Bragança), Tasca Algarvia (Algarve), Taberna da Quinzena (Santarém) and O sr. Alguidar (Praia da Vitória).
With charcuterie, Bísaro, from Trás-os-Montes, Marquês, from the Alentejo, and Charcutaria Serra da Estrela are present. The pastry shops are Padaria do Largo, from Penacova, Amêndoa Doce, from Bragança, and Queijadinhas da Anita, from Praia da Vitória. The fair also has spaces for melon from Graciosa and ice cream from Quinta dos Açores.
The flavors will be accompanied by music, entertainment, sports, and traditions.

Diving into the past – side by side with modernity
195 years ago, it was in the bay of Praia da Vitória that the battle that gave the liberal forces led by Pedro the victory that would later spread throughout the country took place.
“It was in this sequence that Queen Maria II, in 1837, by decree and royal charter, awarded the then village of Praia da Vitória the designation of Praia da Vitória, the title of Very Notable and a new coat of arms,” the mayor recalled in March at the presentation of the theme of the Praia Festivities.
“From the Escape of the Royal Family to the Victory of Praia” is the motto for this edition, an open door to the city’s history that will be felt throughout the days of the festival, but with greater relevance at the time of the opening procession, which today runs through the main arteries of the city.
“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 the army of Miguel, 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,” the general coordinator of the Praia Festivities, Joseph Michel Menezes, told DI (Diário Insular newspaper).
“Our main intention was to convey this remarkable historical theme and the crucial importance that Praia da Vitória had during this period of turbulence to everyone who visits us, whether daily or during these festival days. Some people don’t know all about this path that has been traveled and it couldn’t go unnoticed,” he said.

In the same interview, the coordinator spoke about the festivities, which, from his point of view, take place in an “ideal location”, making it possible to “be present at various moments of the program in just a few steps”.
A strong component of this program is the Dream Zone. “There are nine days of great shows, where the concern of all those involved was to create a differentiated program that would mark the uniqueness of the Praia Festivities, as it is transversal to all ages,” said Paula Sousa, Praia da Vitória City Council’s Councillor for Culture, earlier this month.
The main stage will feature Ivandro, HMB, Ontheroad, Van Zee, WetBedGang, Ti-Notas, Sara Correia, Teto, and Diogo Piçarra, always followed by DJ performances.

The Marina Stage returns. On the sixth, there’s a sunset with InsertCoin. Other acts include Ronda da Madrugada, Cód1go, Maninho, Art’Fado, Remember 80’s & 90’s, Rapazes da Canada de Trás, Brothers of Soul, Os Tributo and João da Ilha Quarteto.
The Green Zone Stage and the Traditions Stage remain. In the green zone, there is an area for children, with a movie, entertainment, inflatables, and face painting.
The Festas da Praia bullfight, scheduled for August 5, features riders Manuel Telles Bastos, Miguel Moura, and João Pamplona. The bulls will be run by Rego Botelho, José Albino Fernandes, and João Gaspar. The amateur forcados from Montemor and the Tertúlia Tauromáquica Terceirense will be in charge of the bullfights.
Praia da Vitória is experiencing its biggest festivities until the 12th of this month, where, as the municipality points out, “flavors and traditions meet and elevate the culture of Praia da Vitória with quality and excellence”.

in 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 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.