Festa Junina Picture 4

More information on Festa Junina Photo by: chris.diewald

Festa Junina takes place  on June 24th of each year and is one of the oldest and most popular celebrations of the year.   This festival was introduced to Northeastern Brazil by the Portuguese, for whom St John's day is still one of their most popular holidays, and which is still celebrated in several other European countries as well.

The Brazilian festivities do not take place during summer solstice, but during the tropical winter solstice.    The festivities traditionally begin June 12th, on the eve of St Anthony's day, and last until June 29th, which is Saint Peter's day.   During these two weeks of celebrations, bonfires, fireworks and folk dancing take to the streets, along with typical foods and beverages which are servered throughout the city.   Like Carnival, these festivities involve wearing costumes, in this case peasan costumes, dancing, heavy drinking and visual spectacles such as the fireworks displays and well decorated folk dancers.  

The event is similar to what takes place on Midsummer for St John's Day in Europe, with the bonfires being a central part of these festivities in Brazil.   Festa Junina is also big in other cities in Brazil, with the city of Mossoró having thousands gather during the month of June in celebration.

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