Inês Cancela, 22 years old, and Joana Vila Pouca, 25 years old, are two young women who actively participate in the organization of the São João d'Arga Pilgrimage, representing a new generation that helps keep this tradition alive. They grew up experiencing the festival days and their parents are part of the Festivities Committee, thus continuing a family legacy. The two young women highlight the importance of new generations participating in the organization of the event.
According to the organizers, there has been an increasing presence of young people at the pilgrimage, many of whom stay camped on Serra d'Arga and participate in the various moments of the festival. Joana Vila Pouca emphasizes that the strength of São João d'Arga lies in its authenticity, describing it as a very genuine, characteristic, and different pilgrimage from all others.
The identity of the pilgrimage remains rooted in devotion to São João, in the fulfillment of promises, in music, and in fellowship. Joana emphasizes that people are very devout and fulfill their promises even when it rains, filling the monastery courtyard with faithful followers. The event maintains the unique capacity to bring generations together and to attract pilgrims from all corners of the country, from the Algarve to Trás-os-Montes, and also from Spain, many willing to walk the last kilometers to the venue.
