Time of the feast- Império das crianças

Througout the whole year there are taking place a lot of feasts with a religous background. A typical tradition on Santa Maria Island, Azores, is the "Império" (Holy Spirit feast). The Impérios are being celebrated starting at Pentacost till October. This event dates back to the 14th century. It has been invented by the queen Isabella de Aragon. Originally thought to be a meal for poor people it soon became a traditional island feast which is organized through a family. With the organization of a Império is the family thanking to the Holy spirit that a promise respectively a wish became true. Traditionally the Império is being done by the Imperator who is being crowned with crown and scepctre. He is taking care that the population gets informed when and where the Império is taking place and that the catering is running ok. The whole population of the island is invited to have "Sopa do Espirito Santo" on that certain day. First there is celebrated a Mass with the crowning of the Imperator, then in a procession together with the saint, the Imperator and priest are going to the Copeira. 

Some weeks ahead there are being collected donations for the "Império". Especially dressed men are going from house to house or collect on the street. Everybody who likes contributes something. Farmers might give a cow, firewood or wine (vinho cheiro), supermarkets donate sweet drinks, flour, sugar and so on, people give money. Time after time you run across some vehicules flagged with red and with colours (insigne of the holy spirit with a piegon on a red/white background) transporting material for the Império. In voluntary work people are baking cakes and bread (or nowadays this is going to be bought) and the "Copeira" (cooking place) is being prepared where on the feast day the whole population is being hosted. This event is very popular and special because oldies and youngsters, poor and rich are sitting on the same table having the same food.

This event is very popular and special because oldies and youngsters, poor and rich are sitting on the same table having the same food.
Here some impressions of the "Império das crianças" in Santana, Santa Maria, Azores from the past year 2009. This Império is devoted to the children and takes place yearly on the 24th of July (Dia do João). The organisation is being done by two freguesias (instead of a family) and is being possible through voluntary service.

Early in the morning, respectively a night before the beef is being cooked on open fire under the free skye of Santa Maria.


Soon, the prepared pots filled with pieces of bread, meat and herbs (mince, dill) are going to be dashed with the boiling meatsoup. 


Bubbling soupe


Franciso, the cook is tasting the soup.

Early till midmorning Antonio and others are distribuiting stockpots at the doors to old and sick people who cannot visit the Império (on the whole island).


The meat is being prepared for the tables.


The women are taking care of the dishes.

The cooks survail the cooking, inbetween they taste the food and the wine "Vinho cheiro".

Flowers and other decoration for the procession are being prepared. The kids are being dressed nicely.


The tree senior singers attend the procession and take care of the three junior singers.

The procession is being led by the parents but done by the children.


On the way from the Copeira in Santana to church at the airport for hallowing the "Imperador"


After the Mass and hallowing of the "Imperador" the priest and the imperator are being led in a procession to the copeira in Santana, accompaned by the three young singers and all the children.

The kids really enjoy this event.


The priest in the Paleiro next to the Copeira has taken a seat and blesses the sweet bread which will be distributed to the people once the had eaten the soup.


Visit of a delegation from the second Império which is taking place in Almagreira.

Finally, after a busy day with supplying soup for more than 3'000 visitors the place is going to be cleaned up.

Final act through the priest.


The requisites are being brought back to the capelle.


The fireworker who always to certain times lances a rocket during the Império sends the final rocket to the sky. Herewith the celebretion of the Império das Crianças is terminated.