Yesterday marked the beginning of Ribeirinha’s annual festival, a full week of celebration that beautifully showcases the spirit of Azorean community. I was able to show my brother a fascinating tradition that many communities use to fund these large events: the bazar raffle ticket sales.
The bazar is a central part of most festivals here, and it’s a brilliant way to offset the costs. You can buy tickets at different price points, from as little as €1 up to €20. For each ticket you purchase, you receive a small bag containing 30 or 40 rolled-up papers. The excitement comes from finding the one paper with a number on it. That number corresponds to a prize, with the value of the prize determined by the price of the ticket you bought. My brother and I bought a €15 ticket and were delighted to win a bottle of wine! It’s a fun and engaging way to contribute to the festival while having a chance to win a prize.
Another traditional event that took place was the cow auction. This is a longstanding practice where cattle are auctioned off, with the proceeds going directly to the festival’s funds. It’s a unique cultural sight and a clear sign of how deeply rooted these celebrations are in the agricultural heritage of the islands.
As the night went on, the entertainment began. The music started around 10:45 PM and continued until about midnight, with different events planned for each day of the week. This week-long festival provides a perfect opportunity to experience the best of local culture, from fundraising traditions to lively nightly entertainment.
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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.
