Colors of Ilha do Faial - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The residents of the Faial are very open. They welcome guests with cordiality. They are always ready to talk and help you find the road or the address you need. Locals are not lazy even to guide the tourist who is in a difficult situation. Visitors are traditionally greeted with a bouquet of hydrangeas, which are the symbol of the island. Residents will be happy to tell you about the history of the islands and interesting places. They are proud of their homeland and are ready to talk about its beauty for hours. However, it is worth noting that many residents immigrate to the United States. But they continue to be proud of their origins there.

A sense of patriotism is very developed among the inhabitants of the Azores. They are sensitive to autonomy. Therefore, you should not pay attention to the fact that the islands are part of Portugal. By the way, the locals prefer to say not "in Portugal" but "on the mainland". They emphasize their separateness in this way. They are proud of their ancestors, who were seafarers and discoverers. They claim that Christopher Columbus visited almost every island in the archipelago. Each of the residents believes that it is on his island that the famous traveler spent the most time.

If you talk to the residents, you will hear a lot of stories about whalers. The fact is that whaling was very common among the islanders only a few years ago. Sperm whales and whales were hunted even from an ordinary fishing boat. Whaling is forbidden here today, as it is almost everywhere else in the world. The subject of the slave trade is not popular here. Locals are ashamed of such a past. They prefer not to discuss it. It is recommended not to start a conversation on the topic of private life or children. However, you can talk about them if a local resident starts a similar conversation. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

You can meet numerous sailors in parade uniforms at the port. There are also locals, especially older men, playing Lotto here. The official language of the islanders is Portuguese. However, the residents speak with a very strong accent. So the Portuguese from the continent almost do not understand them. You can communicate with the locals in English and French. Religion plays a large role in the life of the inhabitants of the island, as in almost any Catholic country. Most of the population attends church services on weekends. Christenings, weddings, and confirmations are considered important events in the family.

Many residents are engaged in fishing or connect their lives with navigation today. Concrete breakwaters entirely scribbled and painted by sailors are one of the interesting traditions associated with the sea. It is believed that the inscription left on the wall in the port will bring good luck. Therefore, any vessel that reaches the Faial must be moored here.

The people of Ilha do Faial love holidays. They celebrate them grandly. Not only state but also religious dates are weekends. These are Day of Assumption of Mary – August 15, the Day of the Virgin –January 1, and Christmas. St. John's Day is one of the main holidays. All the people of the Azores celebrate it. The carnival procession is arranged on Faial. Concerts and performances are organized in the squares. Local residents are sure to light fires on this day. It is customary to jump over them. This is a kind of purification ritual. Everyone can jump over the fire. Largo Jaime Melo Park becomes the center of the holiday.

Local residents also celebrate public holidays. This is Workers' Day – May 1. It's a day off on the island. Almost all institutions are closed on this day. Several government agencies are exceptions. People have fun in parks and squares. Performances of national music groups and dances are arranged here. Independence Day (December 1) and Freedom Day (April 25) is no less exciting.

The Week of the Sea is very brightly and luxuriously celebrated by the inhabitants of the island. This is one of the traditional annual festivals. It takes place in August. The festival begins on the first Sunday of the month. Concerts, sports events, and attractions for children and adults are organized throughout the week. The celebration ends with fireworks on the last night of the week. Various exhibitions and fairs are also held on the island during this period. These are, for example, a craft fair or a culinary fair where you can taste national dishes. Dozens of vessels under different flags arrive at the port. Regattas and water sports competitions are also held at this time.