June 10th
We celebrate the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities. The Presidency of the Republic appointed Santarém as the seat of the celebrations this year.This city hosts at the same time, the National Agriculture Fair / Fair in Ribatejo. That same day, Ponte de Lima holds another edition of the "Cow of the Strings", a tradition that dates back to 1646. It is a kind of bullfight outdoors through the streets of the town, where a bull is led by dozens of people to Church, where he is given a "bath" of red wine. Then the bull gives three turns around the church, and finally it is taken to the centre of the town, where it is held a "bullfight."
June 11th We celebrate the "Body and blood of God". Across the country, there are processions, communions and the streets are decorated with floral carpets. The ceremonies are observed in Minho in Trás-os-Montes, in the Douro, the Algarve, in Estremadura, in the Alentejo, Algarve, Madeira and the Azores. At Monção, after the traditional procession through the streets of the town, the locals and visitors go up to the Campo do Souto to assist the fight of good over evil, between S. George and the Dragon (Coca or Coca Rabixa - in the picture).
June 13th Saint Anthony's day, Patron Saint of Lisbon, and known as the Holy matchmaker. Between weddings and dancing ("bailaricos") , the popular party gets to the whole country. In the capital, thousands of people go to the small old districts to assist the traditional "arraiais". There are also traditional costumes parades through the streets. But the party is not only in Lisbon. The day of the Franciscan friar, protector of the poor, is honored in North and South of Portugal.
