On December 26, Saint Stephen day (the saint that brings this pagan festivity to the catholic realm), four young men wearing hats and colorful scarfs start the day by knocking on the houses at Ousilhão, a small village in the …
Winter solstice in Trás-Os-Montes
Every time I leave Trás-Os-Montes (the region in the northeast of Portugal) I leave overwhelmed, with all the warmth and generosity I get from the people in that cold forgotten corner of the country. Sometimes I feel that’s where my …
Lazarim and its alder masks
There’s one thing in common in many places at the North of Portugal and Spain: the strong traditions around masks and those who wear it. Each of these celebrations has its own symbolism and calendar, often are fitted around Winter …