Festa do Divino Espírito Santo
Each year the people of Parati celebrate the ten-day Festa do Divino Espírito Santo festival by crowning an 'Emperor', distributing food among the poor and giving sweets to children, along with processions, masses, dancing and music.
Attributed to Queen Isabel of Portugal, who is thought to have initiated the celebration in the 13th century, it was brought to Brazil by Catholic Portuguese in the 18th century. Now the tradition is firmly in place, celebrated in its own unique "paratiense" way.
Each year a festival leader, or festeiro, is chosen for the following year. On the days leading up to Pentecost the celebrants start off from the Igreja da Matriz de Nossa Senhora de Remédios and proceed to the festeiro's house. He/She leaves the house carrying the Bandeira Mestre (master flag), followed by a band, a folio (group of musicians) and the rest of the procession. They move onto the house of another devotee, where they pick up the Bandeira da Promessa (flag of promises)- covered with pieces of paper and photos with divine requests. Others follow carrying red and white flags, as the procession moves back to the church for mass. They then work in reverse order, dropping off the Bandeira da Promessa first and then the festeiro and his flag.
The festival is closed with a spectacular firework display and wishes that it is all repeated again the following year.
Related Information
Website: Rio-Off-Rio Website
Website: Parati Website
| Venue Information: | Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora dos Remédios |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | |
| Address: | Praça da Matriz |
| Directions: | The square is located in the old district, at the junction with Rua da Cadeia and Rua da Matriz, by the church Igreja da Matriz Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. |
| Name: | City of Rio de Janeiro Tourism Authority |
|---|---|
| Location: | Rio de Janeiro |
| Address: | Praça Pio X, 119, 9º andar, Centro, Cep 20040-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ |
| Email: | riotur.riotur@pcrj.rj.gov.br |
| Phone: | +55 (0) 21 2271 7000 |
| Name: | Brazil Tourist Office (UK) |
| Location: | Brazil |
| Address: | 32 Green St, London W1K 7AT |
| Email: | tourism@brazil.org.uk |
| Phone: | +44 (0) 20 7399 9000 |
| Fax: | +44 (0) 20 7399 9221 |
| Name: | Brazilian Tourist Office |
| Location: | Brazil |
| Address: | SCN, Quadra 02, BLG 2/A, CEP 70710-500 Brasília, DF, Brazil |
| Phone: | +55 (0) 61 429 7777 |
