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St. John’s Party - Festa Junina

Portuguese St. John's Day, brought to Brazil during colonial times, has become a popular event that is celebrated during a period that starts Portuguese St. John's Day, brought to Brazil during colonial times, has become a popular event that is celebrated during a period that starts

one week before St. Anthony's Day (June 12) and ends after St. Peter's Day (June 29). This nationwide festival is called "Festa Junina" (June Festi-

val), or São João and takes place during midwinter in most of the country. The Northeastern region of Brazil concentrates the most elaborated

parties, The festivities are approximately 30 days long. In the evening on June 23, Catholics all over Brazil light a big fire, symbolizing a Catho-

lic tale: During a conversation, John's mother, Elizabeth, agreed to light a big fire to notify her cousin Mary (mother of Jesus) that she had given

birth, that she might get post-partum assistance from her cousin. The beginning of celebration was market with the lit of hot air balloons to an-

nounce that the festivities had begun. Anyone that sae the balloons in the sky would know that the St. John’s party had started.