The announcement was made at a press conference by the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Nascimento Cabral, who revealed that the 22nd edition of the Grandes Festas do Divino Espírito Santo presents a program that once again harmonizes the religious aspects with cultural, tourist, and environmental dimensions.
The mayor, in a note released by the municipality, highlighted the involvement of the 24 Parish Councils and the mordomias in the county as fundamental elements for the celebration’s success.
Pedro Nascimento Cabral also emphasized the support of various private entities and the commitment of volunteers and collaborators from the city hall, underlining the spirit of “celebration of sharing, humility, solidarity, and faith” that characterizes the event.
The mayor further noted that the Divino Espírito Santo “marks the identity of the Azorean people” and emphasized the significant increase in the number of visitors arriving in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, during these days, as well as from the diaspora.
The Vice-President of the Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Furtado, who detailed the programming of the 22nd edition, stressed that it is “a solidarity event, whose greatness lives in the people who contribute to its religious, cultural, tourist, and also environmental programming.”
In the 2024 edition, the Grandes Festas do Divino Espírito Santo received the Circular Event environmental seal, in the Silver category, for the good practices implemented in sustainability, circularity, and environmental preservation, Pedro Furtado indicated.
With a program that includes around 30 events over four days, the festivities begin on July 10, with the inauguration of the photography exhibition Divino em Objetiva 23, a show by the Association of Amateur Photographers of the Azores.
On the same day, the Espírito Santo de Alenquer tent will be inaugurated and the book Ruralidade Micaelense by Renato Cordeiro will be presented, with an inaugural conference on the Cult of the Divine Holy Spirit by canon Manuel Carlos Sousa Alves, rector of the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, at the Matriz Church.
The moment will be followed by a concert by the Sinfonietta of Ponta Delgada, debuting the “Festive Cantata for the Festivities of the Divine Holy Spirit” by composer Sérgio Azevedo.
On July 11, the traditional Changing of the Banner of the Divine Holy Spirit takes place, followed by the opening of the Espírito Santo Room in the Noble Hall of the Town Hall, the traditional sweet bread competition, auctions, and musical performances.
On July 12, a Saturday, Private Institutions of Social Solidarity will distribute pensions (food baskets), and at noon, the Espírito Santo Triato will be inaugurated at Campo de São Francisco.
That day will also be marked by the free distribution of Espírito Santo soups at Campo de São Francisco, and the Ethnographic Parade of the 24 parishes of the municipality, along with the recitation of the Sung Rosary by the Pilgrim Ranches of Relva and Candelária.
At night, musical highlights include Jorge Ferreira and the groups Brumas da Terra and Lads d’Alenquer.
On July 13, the Coronation Mass will take place in Praça Gonçalo Velho, due to ongoing works at the Matriz Bell Tower, followed by the Bodo de Leite and the Grand Coronation of the Divine Holy Spirit Empires of the Ponta Delgada municipality, which will pass through various streets of the city.
The program concludes with concerts by fado singer Raquel Dutra and the Ponta Delgada Light Orchestra, both at Praça do Município.
