While many might think a festival would wind down after the weekend, in Ribeirinha, the celebration simply keeps going. The festival’s spirit is so strong that even on a Monday, the streets are still bustling with activity. During the day, they set up a dedicated play area for kids right in front of the Golden Mermaid Villa, a clear sign that this festival is for every generation.

The true highlight of the evening, however, was the performance by Ribeirinha’s Popular March Group. It was a testament to the town’s immense pride and a powerful display of community. The turnout was incredible, with a crowd of people gathering to cheer on their friends and neighbors.

Even at 12:30 AM, the front of the church was still filled with a mix of little kids and older seniors, all enjoying the live performances as a crowd danced joyfully in the street. This kind of spontaneous, multi-generational community is a rare and beautiful sight, one that you often don’t find in the “new world” anymore.

The Azorean culture, shaped by hundreds of years of isolation on these remote islands, has fostered a unique and powerful sense of self-reliance and closeness. Their deep dependence on one another for survival and well-being has created a unique social fabric that is on full display during these festivals. The closeness you witness here is something truly special and is a core part of what makes the Azorean experience so authentic and unforgettable.

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.