Viana do Castelo have Sweet Easter” from April 2 to 10 with a program full of faith and animation
Between the 2nd and 10th of April, Viana do Castelo promises to captivate locals and visitors alike with the “Sweet Easter” initiative. Prepared jointly by the City Council, the Diocese of Viana do Castelo and the Business Association of Viana do Castelo, the program unites the religious with the profane, combining faith and devotion with moments of leisure and entertainment.
One of the novelties of this year’s program is the Easter Table – Easter Delicacies Fair, which takes place in Praça da República from April 5th to 8th, with gastronomic products associated with this celebration. So, on April 5, the fair is open from 12:00 to 22:00. Then, from the 6th to the 8th of April, this show of delicacies will be open from 12:00 to 00:00, inviting you to visit the historic center and shop in traditional stores.
The Councilor for Culture of the municipality, Manuel Vitorino, considered that the program “perfectly combines the fundamental component of Easter, as a religious festival, and the profane component”, which aims to celebrate “the full meaning of the festival lived among the populations and which is rooted not only in the city, but also in the parishes”. He highlighted the Easter Table – Easter Delicacies Fair, which aims to “enhance local trade and small producers” and the workshops “with the youngest in mind”.
During Holy Week, a Sweet Route is proposed, so that visitors can experience a new sweet Easter tradition, so that an odd number, like a church or chapel, can taste the sweets and delicacies of the Viennese pastry shops. The President of AEVC, Manuel Cunha Júnior, stated that the itinerary includes 25 pastry shops, informing that the participating pastries were asked to “in this period of many tourists and many citizens”, boost the business “and keep the doors open to make known its products”, with emphasis on the already certified Torta de Viana”.
The parish priest of the Viana Cathedral, Armando Dias, stressed that “we are going to hold this feast from the perspective of hope, which includes joy, sweets and hope”, indicating that all religious celebrations will be presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Viana do Castelo, D. John Farmer. “This is the year in which the Easter celebrations return in full, returning to what it was before the pandemic, with expressive signs of adherence, joy and hope”.
Thus, from the 2nd to the 16th of April, the 1st floor of the Old Town Hall and the Catholic Institute, located on Rua da Bandeira, will host the exhibition “Crux Gloriosa – Incorporated work, art and spirituality“.
On the 2nd of April, Sunday, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, the historic center of Viana receives musical entertainment with the Group of Bombos from the Ronda Típica de Carreço. That same day, at 11:00 am, with the Dixie Band.
The religious program includes, for Palm Sunday, at the Cathedral, the Passion Mass at 10.30 am and, at 3.30 pm, the Evening Prayer followed by the Procession of Senhor dos Passos.
On April 5th, Wednesday, Praça da República hosts the Coelhinho/Cordeiro/Cruz workshop, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. On the 6th, Praça Rainha hosts the Easter Eggs workshop, also from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
On Maundy Thursday, April 6th, the Cathedral hosts the Chrism Mass at 10:00 am. At 7 pm, that religious space is the stage for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with washing of feet, presentation of offerings for the poor and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
That night, the city promotes the now traditional Visit to the Chapels, on a religious tour of 23 chapels and churches in Viana do Castelo. Between 20:00 and 24:00, the following will be open for prayer: Sé Cathedral, Igreja da Misericórdia, Chapel of N.ª Sr.ª do Resgate (Rua da Bandeira), Church of N.ª Sr.ª da Caridade, Church of São Francisco (Third Order), Chapel of Casa da Carreira (Town Hall), Chapel of Souls, Church of Seminary of Carmo, Parish Church of Our Lady of Fátima, Church of the Holy Family, Chapel of St. to Colégio do Minho), Chapel of Nossa Sr.ª d’Agonia, Chapel of S. Roque (next to that of Sr.ª d’Agonia), Chapel of Carmel of St.ª Teresinha, Chapel of the Diocesan Seminary, Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Candeias (Largo Vasco da Gama), Chapel of Santa Catarina and Parish Church of Monserrate, Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Rocha (next to Senhora d’Agonia), Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Santa Luzia, Chapel of the Hospital, Church of São Bento. The chapel of the museum ship Gil Eannes and the chapel of the Museum of Decorative Arts are also available to visit.
On that same day, from 10 am to midnight, the Museum of Decorative Arts presents, as part of its permanent exhibitions, Sacred Art | Table Services | Easter table.
On Good Friday, April 7th, at 10:00 am, Office of Readings and Lauds – Cathedral (by the Diocesan Seminary). At 3 pm, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and, at 9 pm, Way of the Cross in the City, departing from the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, ending at the Cathedral.
In the leisure programme, this Friday Praça da República is the stage for the Easter Eggs workshop, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Saturday, from 4 pm to 7 pm, the main square of the city hosts the same workshop.
On April 8th, at 11:00 am, Porta Mexia Galvão also hosts a concert by the ZEPAM Light Orchestra, at 11:00 am. At 17:00, the Igreja da Misericórdia welcomes Mater Dolorosa.
The Queimas de Judas are already a tradition in the municipality of Viana and, this Saturday, they are scheduled for 12h00 in Monserrate, 22h30 in Deocriste and 23h00 in Largo das Neves. On Easter Sunday, the City Council of Viana do Castelo opens its doors to Compasso Pascal. The Cathedral has a Eucharist scheduled for 9:30 am, 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. The program ends on Easter Monday, April 10th, with Easter for Three in Largo das Neves, at 12:30 pm.
