Cirio de Nazare

A joyous, colourful celebration of the 'Virgen de Nazare' and the miracles she is believed to have performed in taking pity on those in danger or sadness, this immense festival begins on the second Saturday in October, when a flower-decked icon of the Virgin is carried to the fore of a fleet of hundreds of small boats from the Vila de Icoaraci to Belem. The icon is borne from the water's edge to Belem's cathedral, where she spends the night, and on the Sunday, thousands of people descend on the city centre to follow her in a five-hour procession around the streets, ending at the Basilica. As they carry her aloft on a litter, barefooted townspeople encircle her and hold on to a rope connected to the icon, to symbolize their spiritual link with their patron saint. Costumed children are carried on floats behind her, depicting scenes from her life and honouring her miracles, and the rest of the crowd light the procession with candles and aim to get as close as possible, for a lucky touch of the Virgin's statue. The rest of the evening is spent dancing and feasting on festival treats.

Review by editor larapiegeler

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 Photo by flickr user CelsoAbreu

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