Monforte: centuries-old Prazeres festivities return at the weekend

The Festivities in Honor of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, in the municipality of Monforte, are back this weekend, with the traditional pilgrimage, various musical shows, sporting activities, garrison events and religious ceremonies.

The biggest highlights of these festivities, which are, above all, a lot of conviviality between family and friends, according to the president of the Associação Cultural e Recreativa de Prazeres, Luís Silva, are, on Sunday night, the performance of the Spanish Raya, as well as for the return of the Santo Huberto hunting event, on Saturday morning.

“I also highlight the return of the pilgrimage, on Monday, where a historical reconstruction will be made of what is the core of our festivities, which would be people traveling, on Easter Monday, to Prazeres, to eat lamb in family, and watch our procession”, adds the person in charge.

The revenue raised from these festivities has allowed the association to carry out rehabilitation work on the Prazeres church, but there is still a lot of work to be done, not only in the church, but also in the association’s headquarters, which is in a “vacant state”. .

Regarding the church, doors and benches have already been restored, and this year, the association changed the entire electrical part, “for safety reasons, but also to save energy”. “We are also painting the walls and niches, where our saints are located. The next steps are to restore the floor of the church and carry out work at our headquarters”, explains Luís Silva. To carry out all this work, more funds are needed. The intention is to not only maintain the church in a “dignified state”, but also allow the association’s headquarters, considered “an important meeting point”, to be rehabilitated.

To carry out these festivities, the association counts on several important supports: firstly, from the City Council and the Parish Council of Monforte, as well as the Fire Department, GNR and Santa Casa da Misericórdia and several sponsors.

During the three days of celebration, between Saturday and Monday, from April 6th to 8th, there will be bar and restaurant service.

Discover the complete program:

Saturday, April 6:

– Santo Huberto Test (7h)

– Pleasures of Cycling/Walking (10h)

– Offer of pork meat to the population (4pm)

– Performance by the group Ojos Gitanos (4:30 pm)

– Dance with Duo Lunar (10pm)

Sunday, April 7th:

– Solemn Mass at the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres (3pm)

– Garraida with Pegas demonstration (4pm)

– Performance by Bellota Trompetera (9:30 p.m.)