Pedro Daniel Oliveira
“Whether it’s sunny or raining, we’ll maintain this tradition of organizing it,” Miguel de Senna Fernandes told the media last Tuesday, while presenting the program of Arraial de São João (Saint John Festivities.) The festival will take place at Saint Lazarus neighborhood on June 23-24.
“We are open to receive the registrations of all those interested in having their small shops in the festival. Nevertheless, – and we are going to be a bit more determined in this regard – the products must be local, and made by those who want to have their shops there,” the Casa de Portugal em Macau (House of Portugal in Macau) President Maria Amélia António told the reporters.
Portuguese musician Sebastião Antunes will be performing alongside accordionist Slobodan Savcevic. The contest “The Best Moments of the ‘Arraial de São João’ in Video”, by the Instituto Internacional de Macau (IIM), will add a special touch to the festivity. The works must be published in the event’s Facebook official page, taking into account none can exceed two minutes long.
Saint Lazarus churchyard is again excluded from the festival, this time because the organizers didn’t even consider asking permission from the Parish Priest. “It will not be possible to use the churchyard. We did not address this possibility, but an invitation to be there [at the festival] was made to the bishop of Macau,” Miguel de Senna Fernandes told the media. He is the President of Associação dos Macaenses (ADM) and Associação Promotora da Instrução dos Macaenses (APIM).
Saint John Festivities is organized by House of Portugal in Macau, APIM, ADM, Associação dos Jovens Macaenses (Young Macanese Association), IIM, APOMAC, and sponsored by Macau Government Tourism Office and Macau Foundation, among others.
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