The invitation has been launched. From March 25 to April 15, Famalicão's Holy Week will take place, an initiative that the Mayor, Mário Passos, already identifies as being "an event of cultural and touristic reference" of the territory. This year's program was presented yesterday afternoon, at the Paços do Concelho, and will be three weeks full of religious and cultural activities to celebrate the Lenten season in a festive atmosphere and in community.
Under the theme 'Living Holy Week/Easter 2023 is in Vila Nova de Famalicão', the solemnities of Holy Week in Famalicão, whose organization is under the responsibility of the Confraternity of the Holy Wounds, which, for this purpose, counts with the support of the City Hall and the Parish of Santo Adrião of Vila Nova de Famalicão, as well as local companies and associations, will start with one of the novelties of this year: the '1st Walk through the Patrimony of the Holy Ghost'. 1st Walk through the Religious Heritage of Famalicão', a tour through the religious and cultural heritage, which will take place on Saturday, March 25th, with compulsory and free registration, at the Casa da Cultura, Posto de Turismo and Santo Adrião Parish until March 24th.
Another novelty this year will be the 1st Easter Candy Contest, included in the Sweet Easter contest, which will take place on Easter Sunday weekend (1st and 2nd of April), in D. Maria II Square, an event developed in partnership with ACIF - Associação Comercial e Industrial de Famalicão.
Besides these initiatives, there will also be the Young Stations of the Cross (March 31st), the recreation of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (April 2nd), the 2nd edition of the Biblical Parade 'Stations of the Cross' (March 2nd) and the 3rd edition of the Biblical Parade 'Stations of the Cross' (April 2nd). (April 2), the street animation by a Farricoco Group (April 6 and 7), the recreation of the "Last Supper" (April 6), the Procession of the Lord of Cana Verde - "Senhor Ecce-Homo" (April 6), the celebration of the Lord's Passion (April 7), the procession of the Lord's Burial (April 7) and the Solemn Easter Vigil (April 8).
As last year, the Casa das Artes is also joining this programme with an Easter concert, 'Requiem' by Hungarian composer Frigyes Hidas (1928 - 2007), a national premiere performed by the Portuguese Symphonic Band, with the participation of the choir from ESMAE - Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo and Academia de Música de Costa Cabral, on 2 April, 14h30, at the New Mother Church. Besides the concert, there will also be the Film Cycle 2023 - Youth Days, which includes the screening of the films 'The Bride' (2022) by Sérgio Trefaut and 'Back to the Dust' (2022) by Li Ruijun, on April 4 and 5, in the small auditorium of the municipal theatre.
The programme closes with an Easter concert on April 15, at 21h30, performed by ARTAVE/CCM CCM - Centro de Cultura Musical at the New Mother Church.
The coordinator of the Confraternity of the Santas Chagas, José Pedro Sousa, who did not fail to mention the important support given by the municipality, highlighted that this programme "is in no way inferior to other events (of the same nature) in the region. We strive for difference and quality (...) we have made an enormous effort to open paths for the future, always trying to do more and better".
"Lent is an experience, a living that cannot only be personal, but also has to be communitarian", underlines the Archpriest of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Father Francisco Carreira, praising the numerous initiatives planned for the Holy Week of Famalicão, which he sees as a dialogue between the Church, the cultural institutions and the community.
The Holy Week of Famalicão "represents the beginning of a regular program in the city centre", which will take place "every weekend, until the end of the year", explains Mário Passos, highlighting the idea of "giving renewed reasons for people to come to the urban centre".
The complete programme of Famalicão's Holy Week is available for consultation at www.famalicao.pt/semana-santa---pascoa-2023 .