The Fiesta Junina is one of Brazil’s most traditional and significant celebrations. It is held during the months of June and July in honor of Catholic saints such as Saint Anthony, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Peter.
This festival stands out for the richness of its cultural expressions, which include delicious traditional foods, folk costumes—such as plaid shirts and chita dresses— the traditional cuadrilla dance, which symbolizes the harvest and rural weddings, as well as colorful decorations featuring streamers, balloons, and bonfires.
Vedruna Care Center, Campinas
At the Vedruna Center, we spent an entire week preparing for this celebration. Together with the children and teenagers, we shared moments of conversation and reflection on the meaning of this cultural tradition. We also engage in artistic activities, such as drawing, watch videos together, share memories of experiences from their families and communities, and create the decorations that adorned the classrooms and various spaces where the celebration took place.
This year, the excitement surrounding the World Cup was also part of our celebration. We incorporated this theme into the Fiesta Junina through colors, costumes, and decorations, blending the joy of the World Cup with the traditions of this Brazilian festival.
The celebration was a very special moment of coming together, fellowship, and joy. More than just a party, it was an opportunity to strengthen the bonds among all the participants, appreciate cultural traditions, and celebrate community life.
Santa Cruz School, Maringá
On June 20 and 21, we held the spectacular Santa Cruz School June Festival. We usually say that the Santa Cruz festival begins long before the actual day, because students and staff work together to create the festive atmosphere, prepare toys for the day, and cook the meals. It’s also worth noting that family members volunteered to work at the food stands during the festival.
On Saturday the 20th, starting at 6:00 p.m., students from Elementary II and Middle School put on their performance; on Sunday morning, it was the turn of Early Childhood Education and Elementary School. They performed traditional dances from our country, such as forró, frevo, vaneirão, quadrilha, pau de fitas, country, sertanejo, and others.
Between each dance, as part of our celebration of the Congregation’s Bicentennial, each group prepared a tribute to the sisters featuring quotes from Saint Joaquina de Vedruna, Bicentennial symbols, and skits.
The festival was also a place for families to spend time together: while each group was performing, there were food and drink stands where families shared meals and socialized with one another.
With all that, we celebrate the Fiesta Junina, which is such an integral part of our Brazilian culture. A festival that originally had Catholic roots—honoring the saints of June: Saint Anthony, Saint John, and Saint Peter—today it is more than just a Catholic celebration; it is one of the largest and most popular festivals in our country.
Sisters Maria do Socorro Viera, ccv, and Maria Júlia da Conceição Souza, ccv
