ERICEIRA AND FAITH [VIDEO]

Portugal is a country full of tradition and a lot of popular and religious festivals that are held every year throughout the country. Ericeira is no exception and this weekend began the celebrations of Our Lady of Nazareth.

This could be a celebration like so many others, if it wasn’t the fact that it happens 17 in 17 years. Reason enough for the village to “dress up” to receive the holy image that, for a year, will remain in the local parish church.

Whether you are religious or not, the event doesn’t go unnoticed to anyone and Ericeira is flooded with visitors who want to join in the celebration. With a procession that included a military band that parade on horseback, several carriages that traveled through the narrow streets of the village, and a grand firework that lighted up the night sky over the fishing port.

If you don’t know these festivities, know that all week you can count with plenty of entertainment in various village points, with three different stages that receives singers and musical groups. And the fireworks will return next Saturday, September 24.

If the timing is not the best for you, check your schedule a year from now, when the holy image is be delivered from Ericeira to the next parish. The ceremony will also be an event to remember. After that, you’ll only be able to see it again after 17 years.