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MIM December 2019 - January 2020 Dezembro 2019 - Janeiro 2020
Christmas in Madeira has a special charm, almost unique in the world. It's celebrated with joy, color and lots of enthusiasm.
It´s that time of the year again! meticulously arranged and lovely decorated with the traditional "lapinhas" (cribs), in addition to the making of a Christmas tree. The typical delicacies of this festive season begin to be prepared, for instance the "broas" (honey biscuits) and "bolo de mel" (honey cake), liqueurs and the "carne de vinho e alhos" (pork in wine and garlic), and flowers and seasonal fruits are bought. A unique sweetscented experience that is commonly designated by locals with a popular saying:
It already smells like
The placing of the decorative illuminations indicates the beginning of the Christmas and End of Year festivities. Funchal, as well as in many other villages around the island, are filled with thousands of lights and street decorations, in a unique vision of the overall joyfulness that is felt in the streets. By this time houses are
Christmas! + O artigo continua na pág. 32 The article continues on page 32.
Program Foto: www.visitmadeira.pt
December 31st - New Year's Eve Festivities
December 1st to January 6th | Christmas Lights
December 16th to 24th -The Childbirth Masses
Christmas begins with the celebrations of the "Childbirth Masses", starting on the 16th of December and ending on Christmas Eve, with the celebration of the Midnight Mass. The "Childbirth Masses" also designated as the 'Novenas' (Nine masses) consists of a total of nine religious ceremonies which are held at dawn. After mass, the church goers gather in the churchyard to listen to Christmas carols, followed by groups playing string instruments, accordions and castanets, an occasion marked by the typical " despiques", "rivalry songs", followed by the drinking of the "mata-bicho" -, "hair of the dog cocktail" complemented by the tasting of liquors, " broas" biscuits and cakes.
December 23rd - Farmers’ Market Christmas Night
On December 23rd, Madeirans take this opportunity to make their lastminute Christmas shopping in a commotion, that intensifies the essence of the "Festa", a designation commonly attributed by locals to refer to the beginning of the Christmas season. The locals go to the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market) to buy the last items or delicacies in order to ultimate their Christmas decorations and prepare the typical delicacies of the season. The surrounding streets are closed to traffic and are filled with various food stalls that are open all night, selling innumerable regional products like flowers, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, sweets, pork in wine and garlic rolls and typical drinks like "poncha". At nightfall the biggest attraction of the day takes place, a performance by traditional Christmas carollers, on which locals take the role of true artists. This occasion gathers music and folk bands who contribute to maintain the jubilant atmosphere apart from, lots of entertainment that lasts until dawn.
Foto: www.visitmadeira.pt
December 1st is the official date on which Christmas illuminations (which remain linked until mid-January) are connected, followed by major celebrations, cultural events, concerts and exhibitions that take place throughout the city for Christmas. Madeira Island is truly magical and unforgettable at this time of year.
With Funchal fully lit up, the stage is set for an unforgettable show, renowned in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest firework display in the World. A dazzling night that takes everyone's breath away. Celebrate the New Year with joyfulness and enthusiasm without overlooking champagne and the traditional twelve raisins. The merriment continues throughout the night until dawn whether it be on the streets, at hotels, discos, bars or even private parties. This is, without doubt, an unforgettable dawn that welcomes the arrival of the New Year in the best possible way.
January 1st – New Year´s Concert
Held by the Classical Orchestra of Madeira, this concert that marks the first day of the year takes place at the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre.
CHISTMAS IN FUNCHAL The main capital - Funchal is transformed into a life-size nativity scene, given the natural features of its amphitheatre contour, from which floral decorations and multi-colored lights emerge. The city's main streets become genuine living "tableaux" depicting regional traditions which alongside with the concerts, folk groups and philharmonic bands performances, delight both residents and the thousands of tourists who are visiting the island during this time of the year. So come along and celebrate this memorable festive season with us!
January 5th - The Kings’ Carols
On the 6th of January the arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated, which occasion is commemorated with the famous "Bolo Rei" (King's Cake) which encloses a bean and a surprise gift. Tradition says that whoever is lucky enough to end up with the slice with the bean will have to buy the cake the following year while whoever ends up with the surprise gift will have to buy the drinks. On the night from January 5th to the 6th it is customary to sing "Kings' carols", a tradition kept all around the islands, in which people go to their neighbours houses to sing in small groups, accompanied by musicians playing regional instruments , such as the "viola de arame" (string guitar), the "braguinha" (ukekele), the "rajão" (a five or six-stringed instrument) and triangles, in addition to the women who bring food supplies for the night (wine, fresh bread, sweets, etc.).
Foto: www.visitmadeira.pt
T
he Christian traditions, during Christmas and New Year season are genuinely associated with the customs of the locals. Throughout the month of December until the Three Kings day, held on January 6th, this festive season is lived with a special feeling, combining religious ceremonies with the joy for the arrival of a new year, a time of year marked with a rich program filled with cultural, ethnographic and artistic events.
Everything revolves around the "Festa" (the Festivity), and arrival of the month of December is most eagerly awaited by all.
Foto: www.visitmadeira.pt
Foto: www.visitmadeira.pt
Christmas is the most important time of the year, a time to celebrate customs and traditions in a tribute to folklore and legacy of the inhabitants.
