Fogaceira (Red lace)

The "Fogaceiras" festival is a traditional folk festival in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira in Portugal. With more than five centuries, this old tradition revives the community's vow to San Sebastian to rid the region of the plague. Thus, every year, on January 20, a "Fogaça" is delivered to the saint, preserving the tradition. According to local legend, for four years the tradition was broken and the plague returned. Faced with such an event, the population still complies and gives life to one of the oldest traditions in the country. At the festival of the "Fogaceiras", special attention is paid to the "Fogaceiras" girls, according to the tradition, girls approaching puberty, from all over the county, are dressed in white, with coloured waist bands and carry on their heads "fogaças", that have silver paper with different colors, and the shape of a castle.