São Luís is honored on the 21st and 22nd of January in Querença, in yet another edition of the Festa das Chouriças which takes place again after two years of interruption.
The celebrations start on Saturday, with a Fado Night, which will take place at Casa do Povo de Querença, at 9 pm. Fado singers Isa Brito, Adriana Marques, and André Catarino will be accompanied on guitar by Valentim Filipe and on viola by Nuno Martins at an event that will cost €7.50. Funds raised revert to the Parish.
On Sunday, the 22nd, from 11 am and throughout the day, visitors will be able to taste the roasted chorizo in the various establishments in Querença, some located in Largo da Igreja.
The religious celebration will begin at 2.30 pm, with the Eucharist in the Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, presided over by Father Carlos Aquino, which will be followed by the solemn procession with the image of St. Louis, accompanied by the Philharmonic Band Artists of Minerva.
At 4 pm, the usual and always lively chouriças auction will begin, where the public will be able to participate and buy the queen of the party, the chouriça.
The program also includes, at 5 pm, the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Voz de Loulé. And at 5:30 pm, the Grupo de Janeiras do Projetos Asas de Alte performs.
From 7 pm onwards, the Ballroom of Casa do Povo de Querença will be filled with music for a dance animated by the artist Rúben Filipe.
During the event, there will be street entertainment with Grupo Al-Fanfarre and Palhaça Pirolita. From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, there is a small market with an exhibition and sale of handicrafts and local products, representative of the Algarve mountains.
“Spend a Sunday in Querença and attend one of the most emblematic festivals in the region. We are waiting for you!” is the invitation of the organization. This is an initiative promoted by the Festivities Committee of the Parish and Union of Parishes of Querença, Tôr, and Benafim, with the support of the Municipality of Loulé and the Casa do Povo of Querença.
It should be noted that the roots of this event go back to a time when, in the interior of the Algarve, families had the habit of raising their pigs to sustain themselves throughout the year. It was also a tradition to ask São Luís, the patron saint of animals, to keep the pig in good condition, to ensure food for the household. As a form of gratitude, families offered the best homemade sausages to the Protector. Belief says that in January it is time to glorify the Saint who helped in the creation of animals.
As such, it is a tradition among the farmers in this area, if the animals have a healthy life until the Festa da Matança, which takes place at the beginning of the year, to offer one or more sausages to S. Luís, the rest being auctioned, together with other offers, in a very competitive auction.
The Festa das Chouriças de Querença continues a centuries-old tradition and is the most emblematic festival of its kind in the Algarve interior and, to that extent, constitutes an important tourist attraction at this time of year, combining the gastronomy component with the religious one.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, tickets place of sale, price, and availability.
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