The Água de Pau Elementary School is participating in the crib competition promoted by the Lagoa Town Council, with a contemporary clay crib created as part of the “New Puppeteers” project.
Around 260 students participated in this crib, developed in Visual Education, Technology and the Ceramics Workshop. It is made up of around 300 clay figures representing various scenes, such as the birth of Jesus, his flight to Egypt, the pilgrimage to the Chapel of Our Lady of Monte Santo, the revelers, the procession of the Holy Christ, and the representation of the making of traditional flower carpets, the folklore group and the procession of Our Lady of the Angels.
In addition, there are figures representing regional experiences such as the traditional wedding, the pig slaughter, the battle of the limes, the game of marbles, the rolling carts; professions such as shepherds, fishermen, fish sellers, fruit sellers, milkmen, farmers, spinners, blacksmiths and laundresses; the typical Azorean house, the fountains; the room of the holy spirit; the music band and the most diverse animals.
The “Novos Bonecreiros” (New Puppeteers) project created by the Lagoa City Council to perpetuate a cultural tradition that is part of Lagoa’s identity, the art of puppeteering, has been underway since the 2021/2022 school year, with training in the various schools in the municipality.

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.