The Festivities in honor of Our Lady of Angústias return to unite Vila Real de Santo António and Ayamonte this Friday, September 4th, in a cross-border celebration that continues until the 8th in the Spanish city. The initiative strengthens the historical and cultural ties between the two border towns that, every year, join together for these celebrations.
Activities begin in Vila Real de Santo António with the reception of the Spanish delegation at the Embarkation Quay at 5:15 PM. This is followed by a parade to Marquês de Pombal Square, where a Portuguese band and a Spanish band will alternately perform the National Anthems of both countries in front of the Town Hall. At 5:30 PM, the flag-raising ceremony will take place, followed by another parade to the embarkation quay.
The delegation will then cross the Guadiana heading to Ayamonte, where they will participate in a new route to the headquarters of the Ayuntamiento. At this location, the Anthems of Portugal and Spain will again be performed, continuing the opening ceremony of the festivities.
The celebrations conclude with solemn speeches and the official opening of the Festivities of Angústias, marked by the illumination of the Ayamontina pilgrimage grounds, a moment locally known as "el encendido del alumbrado".
