The Pilgrimage on Horseback between Moita and Viana do Alentejo, which will resume in April after a two-year break due to the covid-19 pandemic, is an event that has a very strong weight on the local economy.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 20th edition of the event will depart from Moita on the 20th of April, at 9:00 am, and will arrive in Viana do Alentejo on the 23rd of April, at 5:30 pm.
In the presentation of this event, were present the presidents of the chambers of Viana do Castelo and Moita, Luís Miguel Duarte and Carlos Albino respectively, the representative of the Equestrian Association of Viana do Alentejo, Rui Moisés, the representative of the Association of Pilgrims of the Moitense Tradition, Miguel Almeida, the parish priest of Viana do Alentejo, Abraão Mwaikafana, also attended the Assistant Secretary of State and Cultural Heritage, Ângela Ferreira.
Speaking of the importance of this pilgrimage, the mayor of Viana do Castelo said that “in addition to the conviviality that this event provides to the participants, it is an initiative that, due to its characteristics and dimension, already has a strong weight in the local economy.”
“The entire Alentejo, this weekend, will double its population, just as the cultural and religious heritage will be visited and appreciated by all the thousands of visitors. (…) On the 23rd of April, I will be there, in Viana do Castelo, to welcome you and show you how beautiful the county is.”
Rui Moises explained that the route, of a religious nature, is made in four days through the countryside, in two stages: morning and afternoon, the representative took the opportunity to thank all the landowners who made themselves available and helped to prepare this Pilgrimage, and the all the parishes that will welcome them during the nights of the trip.
The mayor of Moita, Carlos Albino, highlighted “the desired return to normality” of one of the great traditions that fills the municipality of Moita with pride.
Once again, pilgrims from various parts of the country return to fulfilling the tradition on dirt roads, bringing with them the image of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, which is joined, upon arrival, to the image of Nossa Senhora D’Aires. In addition to the religious character, the pilgrimage takes on, nowadays, a more playful aspect that privileges the conviviality between the participants.
