On February 8th, Vila Real de Santo António celebrates Parish Day for the second time, evoking the historical date of February 8th, 1513, when D. Manuel granted the Letter of Privilege that established the term of Santo António de Arenilha , establishing the initial borders of the current parish.
The celebrations begin on January 29th with a special program, highlighting the presence of the vessel “Por Mares”, an initiative by the company Barca Criativa, led by Nuno Paulino, recently awarded the honorary Art Grant award at the Burning Man Festival.
During this period, a theatrical creation residency will be held in co-production with the City of Vila Real de Santo António, with street animations inspired by the historical texts of researcher Fernando Pessanha. The project focuses on the theme of piracy and privateering in the Algarve seas, highlighting the historical uniqueness of Santo António de Arenilha and its relevance in Portuguese maritime expansion.
On January 31st, Vila Real historian Fernando Pessanha will lead students from 3rd to 6th years on “Pirate Tours through the Toponymy of Vila Real de Santo António”, an educational initiative that combines history and culture.
The official celebrations on February 8th will begin at 9:00 am, with the raising of flags to the sound of the . At 10:00, at the Vicente Campinas Municipal Library, the Solemn Session takes place.
Later, at 6pm, a community theatrical and multimedia show will be presented involving local associations, theater groups, schools and cultural and commercial entities. The production, which began at the Antônio Rosa Mendes Municipal Historical Archive, aims to unite the community, attract visitors and promote the historical and cultural heritage of the Enlightenment city, recognized as a jewel at the mouth of the Guadiana.
Parish Day highlights the potential of history and culture as central elements in tourism promotion and local development, consolidating Vila Real de Santo António as a reference destination in the Algarve.
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