Today is Espiga Day and therefore a holiday in Loulé and Monchique. Tradition dictates that on this Thursday of the Ascension (according to the Christian calendar), people go out into the field to pick up the ear, a sprig that includes wheat, as well as wild flowers such as poppies, marigolds or flower of pomegranate, and a sprig of olive tree.
Espiga Day is also the municipal holiday in the municipalities of Loulé and Monchique. In Loulé, in addition to the official festivities, the highlight goes to the Espiga Festival, in Salir, which starts today and celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In Monchique, at 11:00 am, there are mthis campal at Moinho do Pequenochinho followed by a picnic at Barranco dos Pisões.
Espiga Day is celebrated mainly in the south of the country, having a pre-Christian origin and, in a way, marks the beginning of the harvest season. The cob branches are symbolic of the fecundity of the earth and the joy of life: the cobs, usually wheat, symbolize abundance, poppies, roses, daisies and marigolds, beauty, and the olive branch, peace.
This branch, in a number of variable combinations depending on the location, is hung inside the house, usually behind the entrance door, and kept there for a year, until it is replaced by the “ear” of the following year.
It is believed that this custom has its roots in an ancient Christian ritual that consisted of blessing the first fruits, but its characteristics make it guess more remote origins, most likely in ancient pagan traditions associated with the festivals in honor of the goddess Flora that took place By this time.
The Espiga Festival in Salir, a markedly rural parish, began on May 23, 1968, organized by the Parish Council, more specifically by the then president, José Viegas Gregório, a charismatic figure and a great promoter of his native land. The notoriety achieved by the event led the Municipality of Loulé to commemorate the Municipality Day on Thursday of Espiga.
Ingredients of the "cob" sprig and their meanings:
Ear – bread;
Marigold – gold and silver;
Poppy – love and life;
Oliveira – olive oil and peace; light;
Vine – wine and joy and
Rosemary – health and strength.
Monchique Municipal Holiday Commemorations Program
May 25 (Thursday of Ascension) – Municipal Holiday
09:30 – Flying the Flag in the Town Hall, with the Senior Academy Choir Participation;
09:45 – Protocol Ceremony – City Hall;
11:00h – Campal Mass at Moinho do Pequenochinho followed by picnic – Barranco dos Pisões;
May 26th (Friday)
19: 00h - Show at Serração – “LA COSA” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions;
20:30h- The origin of the name Monchique – The Holy Mountain – Conference by Prof. Virgílio Enamorado- Professor at the University of Malaga –Fonte dos Chorões;
21:00h – Performance by the Monchique Senior Academy Choir – “Cantares da Serra” – Fonte dos Chorões;
21:30h – Show at Serração – “Petit Théatre de Gestes” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions;
May 27th (Saturday)
19:00h – Show at Serração – “LA COSA” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions
21:30h – Show at Serração – “Petit Théatre de Gestes” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions;
May 28 (Sunday)
15:00h – Show in the Study Room – “Dans L´atelier”- Project Lavrar o Mar – See specific schedule and access conditions;
16:00h – Show in the Study Room – “Dans L´atelier”- Project Lavrar o Mar – See specific schedule and access conditions;
17:00h – Show in the Study Room – “Dans L´atelier”- Project Lavrar o Mar – See specific schedule and access conditions;
19:00h – Show at Serração – “LA COSA” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions
21:30h – Show at Serração – “Petit Théatre de Gestes” – Lavrar o Mar Project – See specific schedule and access conditions;
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