Among the many colorful moments that illuminated this year’s Sanjoaninas festivities in Angra do Heroísmo, few carried a message as meaningful as the participation of Olhar Poente – Associação Desenvolvimento in the traditional Children’s Marches. Under the theme “Hand in Hand with the Community,” the association transformed a beloved cultural tradition into a living lesson in citizenship, solidarity, and belonging, reminding both participants and spectators that the future of every community is built through the values instilled in its youngest generations.
Far more than a festive parade through the streets of Angra, the march became an educational experience, inviting children to reflect upon the often-unseen network of people whose daily work strengthens the social fabric of the Azores. Through music, movement, and celebration, the young participants paid tribute to the institutions, associations, professionals, volunteers, and countless citizens whose dedication sustains the well-being of the community, reinforcing ideals of inclusion, mutual support, and civic responsibility.
With lyrics by Bárbara Vieira, music composed by Gualter Silva, and choreography created by Rita Ormonde and Vânia Silva, the presentation skillfully combined artistic expression with a message that extended well beyond the festivities themselves. Each verse, each movement, and each smile reflected the belief that communities flourish not merely through institutions but through people willing to care for one another.
For Sandra Serpa, President of Olhar Poente, the Children’s Marches represented an opportunity that transcended celebration itself.
“The Children’s Marches were far more than a festive occasion,” she reflected. “They became an opportunity for our children to experience essential values such as mutual support, respect for others, and a genuine sense of belonging. Through this theme, we wished to honor all those who work every day for the common good while helping children understand the importance of active citizenship and solidarity.”
Her words echoed a philosophy that has long guided the association’s work: education is not confined to classrooms, nor is citizenship learned solely through textbooks. It is cultivated through shared experiences, through participation in community life, and through traditions that allow younger generations to discover that they, too, are indispensable participants in the continuing story of their island.
This year’s participation carried particular significance as the Azores commemorated the 50th Anniversary of Political Autonomy. Throughout the archipelago, 2026 has invited reflection upon five decades of self-government and democratic responsibility. For Olhar Poente, the Children’s Marches became another opportunity to connect that historic milestone with the values that autonomy has fostered: participation, resilience, cooperation, and a profound sense of Azorean identity.
“Autonomy has allowed the Azorean people to affirm who they are and to build their future with greater participation and responsibility,” Sandra Serpa observed. “It is important that younger generations understand this legacy and take pride in their roots. Through the marches, we also sought to pass on that sense of belonging and love for our land.”
It was, perhaps, one of the quiet triumphs of this year’s Sanjoaninas that amid the music, costumes, laughter, and celebration, children were gently reminded that the strongest communities are those built upon shared responsibility. The theme “Hand in Hand with the Community” became more than the title of a march; it became a reflection of the very spirit that has allowed the Azorean people to thrive across generations—whether on the islands themselves or throughout the diaspora.
As another edition of the Sanjoaninas came to a close, Olhar Poente reaffirmed its enduring commitment to the holistic education of children, demonstrating that culture and tradition remain among the most powerful classrooms a society can offer. In celebrating together, children learned something that will endure long after the music faded from the streets of Angra do Heroísmo: that communities are not inherited—they are built, hand in hand, by every generation that chooses to care for the next.
Based on a Press Release. The photos are from Olhar Poente.
