The Festa das Cruzes (Festival of the Crosses) is an annual community event spanning five days here in Barcelos. It is held soon after Easter and combines religious and community elements.
Batalha das Flores
The first event we attended was the "Battle of the Flowers", consisting primarily of floats decorated with flowers. The floats, like the one to the right, were sponsored by local community organisations, including churches, non-profits, and businesses. The parade passed right in front of our apartment!
This tradition originated about a hundred years ago, when local rural workers scattered flowers in Barcelos in celebration of the arrival of spring - a symbolic act commemorating the renewal of nature and abundance of the season.
Flower Petals Galore!
So here's the fun part: instead of throwing candy, the people accompanying the floats threw flower petals on us onlookers as they passed by. It was a delight, receiving shower after shower of colorful petals!
This guy specialized in the backhand throw.
The Throw
And this lady specialized in the overhand throw. (Love the look of little guy in sun glasses looking on!)
Another Throw
And this lady preferred the underhand throw. :)
Showers of Flowers
But not matter how they liked to throw, flower petals were flying nearly constantly!
You may be thinking: why do they call it the battle of the flowers? Well, it's because the parade followed a circular route - half the floats went clockwise and the other half counter-clockwise. When they met halfway around the circle, they had a "battle", throwing flowers at each other. :)
Music and Dance
Another activity we really enjoyed was the local music and dance. Especially the folk music and dance. Dance troups came in all shapes and sizes and ages, from young age to very old. They seemed more interested in including everyone and having fun than in putting on a flawless performance, which I love!
Dancers
I snapped a photo before this group performed - and these two happened to be the best dancers in the troup. Lovely people!
Dresses
Love the way these dresses fan out when the dancers spin - just beautiful!
Band
And finally, here is a band, complete with dancers. Note that all of these folk bands featured the accordion prominently, popular due to its adaptability to the lively rhythms of Portugues folk songs, its ease of use, and its association with the common people. These rhythms almost begged you to dance!
Parade of the Crosses
We found the "Grand Procession of the Cross" fascinating. Held on Saturday, church leaders carried caskets topped with stunning flower decorations and cross(es), reminiscent of Jesus crucified/Holy Saturday.
Walkers
The parade also featured many walkers referencing the life of Jesus. The plaque on the left below struck me: it translates to "forgiveness permits us to change the future". So true!
Local Government Officials
Governmental leaders from each local village - there are over 30 villages in the Barcellos area - marched down the street carrying crosses. I asked folks standing near me if all the governmental officials were active in their christian faith. "No", they said,"But this parade is such an important cultural tradition that they all participate." I love that this community is holding on to its long-standing religious/community traditions!
Meeting up with Dear Friends
Phil and Janie
We met up with dear friends Janie and Phil (and Phil's sister) in Porto before they departed on a land tour of Portugal. We enjoyed being together and learning about the history of this beautiful city!
Lance and Janene
Then at the end of their land tour (and before their cruise), we met up again with Phil and Janie in Braga and then joined Lance and Janie in Porto. So wonderful to spend the day with these dear friends!
Blast from the Past
Friends from our time living in Bothell, Washington just happened to be traveling in Portugal and suggested we get together. We had a wonderful afternoon getting reacquainted with John and Kristen. We enjoyed hearing about the work they are engaged in - Kristen authored a well-written children's book entitled"Good Pictures, Bad Pictures", aimed at protecting children from pornography.
Two Churches in One
Perhaps the most interesting thing we saw on our brief tour of Porto was this church - actually two churches and a very small house. The church on the left is the "Discalced Carmelite Church". The Carmelites were a mystical Catholic order established by Teresa of Avila in the 13th Century. This church was built in the early 17th Century and run by friars. The church on the right, the Church of the Venerable Third order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, built in the mid 18th century, was the feminine equivalent of the male-run church to on the left.
Separating the two churches is the Casa Escondida ("Hidden House"), a three-story house just over a meter wide, complete with living room, bedroom, study and kitchen. Locals say the purpose of the Hidden House was to prevent any interaction between the fryers and nuns of the two respective churches. A more pedestrian explanation is that building codes prevented two churches from sharing the same wall.
Inside the Carmelite Church
The white walls contrasted with the gold accent made this cathedral breathtaking!
Some of the people we have grown to love
Rafael and Gabriel
Rafael, on the left, is lay leader of our Latter-day Saint congregation in Barcelos (ie, he is the Branch President). He and his wife Luiza emigrated from Natal, Brazil about two years ago. Wonderful man - very outgoing and inspirational.
We met Gabriel at our gym, and the next week he started attending church with us. We meet with him at least weekly, often with the young missionaries. We have grown to love him - he is a gentle, loving soul with a deep connection to the divine, He is also from Natal - arrived just 6 months ago - hence the instant bond with President Rafael.
Adriana
Adrianna joined the church about a year ago. Her husband works in Spain and comes home every three months for one week. She shares her experience with everyone - that her life so much better now that she is a committed disciple of Jesus and is part of a wonderful community.
She has invited us and the young missionaries to dinner several times. She is an amazing host and loves having us missionaries in her home.
Joaquim, Alexandre, and Marvin
Joaquim moved from Cape Verde (a Portuguese-speaking country in Africa) about 7 years ago. His boys, who were previously living with their mother, joined him about a year ago.
Joaquim leaves home at 5 am to work at a nearby factory. His boys, ages 11 and 13, get themselves up and off to school on their own - Joaquim praises them for being very responsible. In turn, they regularly comment on how much they appreciate their father.
We visit this family weekly, sharing messages of encouragement and love. We love them!
Learning Portuguese
It's challenging to learn a new language with a 65-year-old brain. But Chris is coming along well! She understands much of what is said and is starting to string together some phrases/sentences. There are about 50 ways to conjugate each verb, so that's a big challenge! She studies every day for a couple hours and I quiz her whenever we are traveling in our car. She asks for your prayers.
As for me, I am feeling quite comfortable with the language. I still stumble over words when trying to express a nuanced idea, but I can usually get the general gist across. Actually, I have often amazed myself , pulling out words or phrases that I haven't thought about since my mission in Brazil 47 years ago. I sincerely believe God can empower us beyond our natural abilities.
Loving our Time in Portugal!
Chris: I love being in Portugal. The people we have met are great and so friendly. The branch that we serve in has amazing leaders and great faith. Many are from Brazil and other South American countries. Most came to Portugal looking for a better life for their families. We love the young missionaries. They are amazing young men who serve the Lord with faith and love. I even love my companion. This has been so good working together after 44 years of having somewhat different lives and experiences.
Dave: People participating in our faith community have respect for our role. They invite us into their homes and share meals with us. Rather than small talk, they share something much more meaningful - their life stories, their challenges, and their joys. We feel privileged to be invited into their lives and to be able to offer uplifting messages centred on the wonderful principles/perspectives taught by Jesus. Honestly, I can't think of a more enjoyable role. It's really a joy!
Add comment
Comments
Thank you for your wonderful update! We are so glad you're having such great experiences! ❤️
I love reading your blogs, and I'm so grateful you are loving your mission. I knew you would - you have such wonderful, faithful, adventurous spirits.
It was great to be able to spend time with you twice while we were in Portugal. We really enjoy your posts which give us a deeper look into life in Portugal, not just the tourist sites we saw on our trip.