Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Angra dos Reis • Angra dos Reis

FOLIA DE REIS LUZ DIVINA

A tradition that has remained alight for decades

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This group is headed by Mestre Marcão, a composer and expert with the viola, guitar and ukulele, and currently composed of 14 participants. It holds its performances on special dates such the town’s anniversary, the Festa do Divino held in June, Christmas, religious celebrations and the traditional festivities in honor of the three Wise Men and the birth of Christ, during which they pass in procession down the streets and perform their rituals full of devotion and joyful music. Every year the Luz Divina group also represents Angra dos Reis at the Encontro Nacional de Folias in Aparecida, as well as the Festival de Folias in Conselheiro Lafaiete.

The group was formed 25 years ago, originated from the informal meetings of friends who played music and danced at birthdays and wedding celebrations. It is currently much in demand to perform in private events and to hold presentations in seminars. Owing to so many engagements, the performance needs a public relations person to manage the group’s agenda of activities. Luz Divina, which also holds lively serenades, provides a free performance in one of the region’s old folks’ homes once every year in December, for the joy of the senior citizens.

This is one of the few musical groups in the Angra dos Reis region that preserves the folkloric Clown character, whose appearance is somewhat frightening to those unfamiliar with the custom. On May 30 the flag blessing feast takes place, with the unfurling of beautiful flags and pennants made by Angra dos Reis and Paraty artisans. Mestre Marcão excitedly explains that in former Festa do Divino commemorations the Police chief used to release a convict, as prescribed by tradition.

Performances by the Folia de Reis (in celebration of Twelfth Night) company can also be viewed in YouTube or in the group’s fan page. Nonetheless, there is nothing comparable to the emotion of interacting with this event, hearing and viewing it all, in colors and live.

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