Jonathan Bell (The Royal Gazette) writes about the Santo Cristo Festival in Bermuda, an annual celebration of Azorean culture that will be celebrated this weekend, with Portuguese artist José Malhoa headlining the festivities. The event, which hails back to the first Portuguese arrivals to the island in the 19th century (and originally celebrated in the 1700s in Azores), will begin at the Bermuda Athletic Association (BAA) field on Saturday at 9:00pm. A Sunday mass will take place at St. Theresa’s Cathedral at 1:30pm, followed by a procession through the streets of Hamilton. Bell gives the details:
The Santo Cristo festival, held for free at BAA field, will treat guests to a host of local acts as well. The festival runs on Saturday and Sunday with Malhoa joined by McCannon “Mox” Cassidy, In Motion Dance, Jessica Frias, Amalia Ponte and the Vasco da Gama Folklore dancers.
BAA field will open from 9pm, while Sunday opens with a 1.30pm mass at St Theresa’s Cathedral in honour of Santo Cristo. The ceremony will be followed by a procession of the sacred image of Christ through the streets of Hamilton to BAA, where festivities resume at 5pm.
The bash will include a bazaar with prizes, an auction of animals and produce, refreshments and Portuguese doughnuts for sale. Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the festival with a draw to be held at 9pm on Sunday. Prizes include two motorcycles, a weekend stay at the Hamilton Princess, an espresso machine and a 43in 4K television.
Santo Cristo, which dates to 1700 in the Azorean city of Ponta Delgada, has been celebrated by the local Portuguese community for many years. The festival is organised by Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese Cultural Association, and the Santo Cristo Committee, with proceeds raised to support the Portuguese School of Bermuda and the Portuguese Pastoral Council of the Catholic Diocese.
For original article, see http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20180430/santo-cristo-festival-returns-this-weekend
For more on Portuguese culture in Bermuda, see https://www.aportugueseaffair.com/portuguese-bermuda/
Repeating Islands 