The tradition of the «Banho Santo» is fulfilled again on the beach at Manta Rota, in the old way, on the 29th of August, in what will be the culmination of the festivities in honor of São João da Degola, which start tomorrow, Friday in this town of Vila Real de Santo António.
Over 11 days it will be possible to attend concerts, participate in balls, relive traditions and see fireworks. All initiatives take place in the square of the old casino and have free entry.
The ritual of taking a bath in the sea on the day that marks the date on which St. John the Baptist was beheaded is already very old. «In bygone years, this was the day when the people of the Algarve mountains traveled to the beach, accompanied by pack animals, to take a bath believed to be holy and capable of curing all ills. At the end, the celebration ended with a picnic», recalled the Chamber of VRSA.
Nowadays, those who descend from the mountains to go to baths will no longer do it in pack animals, but that is not why the tradition is no longer fulfilled. The association «A Manta» and the VRSA City Council are once again investing in the historical recreation of the event, attracting hundreds of curious people to the beach at Manta Rota to see how things used to be in other times.
The preparation for the day of «Banho Santo» starts tomorrow, with a series of concerts and dances where bands and artists such as «Bailasons», «Uns&Outros», Tino Costa, «Feijão e Massa», Zé Aníbal, Fábio will pass by Lagarto, Cristiano Martins and Ângelo Correia. These shows, which are repeated daily until the 26th, always start at 21 pm.
On Saturday, the 27th, the musical animation has the signature of Cuban musician Baby Lores, a forerunner in the area of reggaeton (a musical style that has its roots in Latin and Caribbean music) and responsible for the musical production of internationally known groups such as Eddy K, Gente of Zona, Accent Latino or Orishas. On Sunday, the 28th, there is a solidarity race at 10:00 am and, in the evening, a concert by the «Grupo +2».
On the 29th of August, the day of São João Batista, the festivities begin with the Holy Bath, at 11:00 am, on the beach at Manta Rota. At 18:30 pm, there is a procession and open-air mass in honor of St. John the Baptist.
Later, at 21 pm, the dance begins with the «Duo Reflexo», followed by a show by the dance group «Arutla». The parties will end with fireworks, at midnight, on the sandy beach of Manta Rota.
The festivals in honor of São João da Degola are organized by the association «A Manta» and have the support of the Municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, the Parish Council of Vila Nova de Cacela and other local entities and companies.
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