With less than three weeks to go, the Great New England Holy Ghost Feast
Committee is putting the final touches on the program for the 17th annual
feast, Aug. 22-26.
Committee President Manuel Costa said this year's celebration will include
greater participation from the Azores, including a fireworks display on
Saturday night sponsored by Vila Franca do Campo and Ponta Delgada,
Azores.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Cultural Center, 205 S.
Main St., Fall River, there will be a special presentation by Antonio
Goulart, a leading researcher and coordinator for a California Holy Ghost
book project.
According to Maria de Lourdes Serpa, a Lesley University professor, the
project is the best portrait of the Holy Ghost feasts in America. The
presentation will be followed by a brief concert by the orchestra ligeira
of Ponta Delgada Azores.
"One of our goals is to expand the feast by allowing it to grow naturally,
without disrupting its original theme," Mr. Costa said. "The Holy Ghost
Feast is a people's affair, and as such, it should be fun for those who
attend it, and those who participate in it. At the same time, it should
retain its religious overtones."
Mr. Costa said that other than the customary youth night on Thursday, the
program includes an orchestra sent by Ponta Delgada and scheduled to
perform at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
"We will have a special participation of the municipalities of Ponta
Delgada, Vila Franca and Angra do Heroismo, Azores, with an exhibits
pavilion centered on some of their industrial and economic activities.
There will be a photo exhibit featuring old and new aspects of Ponta
Delgada, and the artisans will be crafting their wares, live for the
public to see."
He said one of the highlights for Friday and Sunday night would be the duo
Tia Maria do Nordeste, a satirical comedy group poking fun at the
political and economic situation in the Azores, Portugal and Europe.
"We also have scheduled for Friday the Velhas da Terceira, another comedy,
but this time set to the sound of music, with singers Elizeu and Joao
Angelo.
"There are three philharmonic bands coming from the Azores, and performing
in concerts during the weekend. Sociedade Filarmonica Harmonia Furnense,
of Furnas, and Sociedade Filarmonica Estrela do Norte, of Feanis da Ajuda
will perform on Friday night. Filarmonica Lira do Sul, of Ponta Garça will
entertain on Sunday night."
Mr. Costa said Saturday would be a big day, staring with the ethnographic
parade at 11:30 a.m., from Ponta Delgada Boulevard, through Columbia
Street, onto John F. Kennedy Park.
"The parade is always a big attraction for young people. They like to see
the traditional costumes, the ox-drawn carts, the folklore dances and
musical instruments," Mr. Costa said. "Of course, when the parade ends at
the park, we have thousands of people waiting for a slice of sweet bread
and a cup of cold milk.
"All during this time, it is wonderful to witness people recognizing old
friends and neighbors they have not seen in years. It is such a nostalgic
time, with the folklore groups sounding in the background, and in the
foreground we have waves and smiles, hugs, and tears of joy. That is what
the feast is about: the joy of people being together. Some of these people
travel long distances hoping to find lost friends and forgotten relatives,
and when they meet again it is such an indescribable feeling."
Mr. Costa said Saturday will continue with concerts and will close with
local entertainer Marc Dennis following the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
He said Sunday is mostly a solemn day, with Mass at St. Anne's Church, at
noon celebrated by Bishops Tomas Silva Nunes of Lisbon, Robert E. Mulvee
of Providence and Sean P. O'Malley of Fall River. He said the traditional
procession, with 23 bands and all the Holy Ghosts representations from New
England, Newark, N.J., and Toronto and Montreal, Canada, will start at 2
p.m.
During the procession there will be several honored guests, including
Carlos Cesar, president of the Azorean government; Berta Cabral, mayor of
Ponta Delgada; Sergio Avila, mayor of Angra do Heroismo; Rui Carvalho e
Melo, Mayor of Vila Franca do Campo; Alzira Serpa Silva, director of the
Azorean communities; Horacio da Silva Roque, president of Banks Banif and
Comercial dos Acores; Joao Machado dos Santos, Director of Banco Comercial
dos Acores, and Conceicao (Connie) Chaves, a Fall River businesswoman who
represents the local Luso-American community.
"During all this time we will have some auctions, bazaars, raffles and
many other attractions. Of course, every day will be a good day to sample
the traditional foods prepared and served at the park by our dedicated
volunteers," Mr. Costa said. "Don't forget to visit our Web site at
www.grandesfestas.com for the complete program and some other interesting
tidbits about the largest Portuguese feast on this side of the Atlantic."
This year's feast ends with a banquet at White's of Westport on Monday
night.Pedro Amaral can be reached at 123 Ames St., Fall River, MA 02721, or at Lusolife@apol.net
This story appeared on Page A5 of The Standard-Times on August 4, 2002.