When the Saints Come Marching In

02 Jun 2023 min de leitura

When the Saints Come Marching In
If you are lucky to visit Portugal in June, you can witness an important and colourful tradition that gives a unique insight into its tradition and vibrant culture.
The Marchas Popular (March of the Saints) is one of several events this month to celebrate the Portuguese Midsummer and is hugely popular with residents and tourists. During these celebrations, different neighbourhoods in the city compete against each other, showcasing their colourful costumes, lively music, and choreographed dance routines.
The Marchas Populares originally celebrated Lisbon's saints: Santo António, the patron saint of the city, along with São João and São Pedro. The festival has evolved to celebrate Portugal's rich cultural heritage and a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people.
The first Marchas Populares were based on Lisbon's traditional folklore and customs, with different groups or marchas representing a different neighbourhood or parish. Over the years, the Marchas Populares has evolved and expanded to include other regions of Portugal, with each group showcasing their own unique traditions and costumes.
The History of the Marchas Populares
The Marchas Populares have their roots in the popular festivals and processions that took place during the Middle Ages. The origins can be traced back to the famous carnivals and masquerades of the 18th century. Over time, these festivities evolved into a more structured and competitive event, with each neighbourhood vying for the title of the best marcha.
In 1932, a group of intellectuals and artists founded the National Popular Art Museum, which aimed to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Portugal. As part of this mission, they organised the first Marchas Populares, which was held in the Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon.
The Marchas Populares has become an integral part of Portuguese culture, with thousands participating in the annual parades and festivals. They are also broadcast nationally, attracting millions of viewers nationwide.
Marchas Populares in Lisbon
If you plan to visit the capital, you can't choose a better time than the first two weeks of June. In Lisbon, there are two weeks of festivities leading up to the feast day of the city's patron, Saint Anthony, on the 13 June. The city is decorated with bunting, streamers and tinsel, rivalling the Christmas display. There is a party atmosphere, while BBQs spring up over the city, selling delicious grilled sardines. Pimba bands play as the accompaniment to traditional dances. The festival culminates on the night of 12 June with a huge carnival procession along the Avenida Liberdade.

The proceedings include a competition between teams that dress up with handmade outfits to march and dance through an open avenue or closed arena to the sound of popular music. The teams are usually made up of residents from a particular neighbourhood, students, or members of a local organisation. All districts of Lisbon become rivals for one night and compete for the podium of the contest, which is broadcast live on national television from the famous Avenida da Liberdade.
All the participating groups perform their routines in front of the city hall before a huge audience. The carnival atmosphere is celebratory and joyous, accompanied by traditional Portuguese instruments, such as accordion, drums, and guitars. The sound fills the air, creating an electric atmosphere. The performers are adorned with flowers, ribbons, and embellishments, adding to the visual spectacle.
During this night, the residents of the several districts of Lisbon typically go out to party in the street with friends and other residents, eating grilled sardines and drinking beer accompanied by the sounds of Portuguese music.
Casamentos de Santo António

Every year, Lisbon is filled with love on 12 June and 16 couples exchange vows of love in front of the entire city.
Saint António was born in Lisbon in 1195, where his church (Igreja de Santo António) stands today. The son of a wealthy family, he studied in Coimbra before entering the Franciscan Order in 1220. Taking the name António, his missionary travels led him to Italy, where he settled in Padua. He was immensely popular with the ordinary people whom he came to champion, with his undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick. This led to him being canonised less than a year after his death, becoming one of the most quickly canonised saints in church history.
The saint died in 1231, marked by a public holiday in Lisbon. As well as being the patron saint of Lisbon, he is also the patron saint of lovers. The Marchas de Lisboa now form an iconic cultural duo with the Casamentos de Santo António (Weddings of Saint Anthony). Like the Marchas, civil and catholic weddings are also broadcast on national television.
The tradition, which started in 1958, was intended for people with economic difficulties, still continues to attract several couples every year. An "all-inclusive" package is offered to the bride and groom, including dresses and suits for the brides and grooms, hairstyles and make-up, wedding rings, bachelor parties, wedding reception and the honeymoon. The happy couple then have the privilege of parading with the marches!
In 2023, 16 couples will walk down the aisle to say the long-awaited "I do". They come from nine parishes in the municipality of Lisbon. Nowadays, brides and grooms are chosen by criteria apart from economic hardship! The Golden Couples, who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, are also included in the celebrations.
Marchas Populares in the Algarve
Portimão
The famous marches, fairs and parties that mark the beginning of summer will be held in the streets of Portimão in June.
The entertainment will be marked by parades with hundreds of marchers from various communities, evoking the tradition of nights filled with brightness, colour, music, dance, creativity and emotion.
More than a thousand participants, including marchers, choreographers and costume designers, will be involved. The Sociedade Filarmónica Portimonense will provide the music.
During this month, Portimão also hosts a traditional summer party called the Arraiais. Festivities include traditional live music, food, drink and dancing, taking place in Praça da República.
Programme:
Marchas
Always starting at 10 pm:
2 June – Portimão Arena, with free entry and ticket collection on the spot
9 June – Polidesportivo da Figueira
11th June – Montes de Alvor Sports Pavilion; 16th of June – riverside area of Alvor
23 June – Praia da Rocha (from the Viewpoint to the Fortress of Santa Catarina, along Avenida Tomás Cabreira)
30 June – Riverside area of Portimão, in the area adjacent to the old fish market
Arraiais
Praça da República (Alameda) on 10, 17, 24 and 30 June at 7 pm
Lagos
This Portuguese festival celebrating the popular saints is back in Lagos, with an open-air party, dances, lots of musical entertainment and parades of local and guest marchers. This is a must-see event that will light up the streets of Lagos!
Programme:
Opening time: 7 pm (food stands open) - 1 am (closing time)

Saturday 10th

7.30 pm - Musical entertainment with Humberto Silva
9 pm - Performance of the Marches:
- March of the Group of Friends of Pedreira (Silves)
- March of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos - Lar Rainha D. Leonor
- March of S. João da Praia da Assenta (Torres Vedras)
- March of the Clube de Instrução e Recreio Mexilhoeirense (Mexilhoeira Grande)
- March of the Centro de Cultura e Desporto dos Trabalhadores da Câmara Municipal de Lagos
1 pm - Dance with Cláudio Rosário
Sunday 11th
7.30 pm - Musical entertainment with Helena Candeias and Vitor do Carmo
9.00 pm - Performance of the Marches:
- Boavista March (Boavista dos Pinheiros - Odemira)
- DUNA Community Centre March (Meia Praia)
- Zambujeira do Mar March
- Bordeira Popular March (Faro)
- March of the Sports Star Club of Bensafrim
11pm - Dance with Carlos Agapito
Monday 12th
7.30 pm - Musical Performance with João Paulo Cavaco
9.00 pm - Performance of the Marches:
- March of NECI - Núcleo Especializado para o Cidadão Incluso (Specialised Nucleus for Inclusive Citizens)
- Odiáxere Sports Club March
- Portimonense Sporting "Glória ou Morte" March
- March by Clube Artístico Lacobrigense
11 pm. - Dance with Ricardo Glória