Saint Anthony's Washing

The Museum of Lisbon - Santo António joins the Franco-Brazilian Viva Madeleine Association for an unprecedented event in Portugal, the Saint Anthony's Washing, a cultural and interreligious event that evokes the washing of the stairs at the Church of Senhor do Bonfim, in Bahia.

Considered one of the largest popular manifestations in Bahia, the celebration has been repeated every year in January, since 1745, bringing together thousands of people in Largo do Bonfim, in front of the church, on top of the Holy Hill (Colina Sagrada). In this ritual, Bahian women dressed up according to tradition, and sing popular chants while washing the staircase and the churchyard. The celebration has its origins in the preparations for the Senhor do Bonfim Festival, carried out by the slaves who washed and decorated the Church.

In 2002, at the initiative of the Bahian artist Ricardo Chaves, this secular Afro-Brazilian tradition took on a French accent, and since then the Lavage de la Madeleine has been held in Paris, with the symbolic washing of the stairs of the Church of the Madeleine. Over the years, this event grew into a festival and it was even in included in the «Slave Route» by UNESCO, in 2011.

In the year of its 21st anniversary, the festival arrives to Portugal, with the Saint Anthony's Washing, held at the Church Saint Anthony, in Lisbon. In addition to the symbolic act of washing the church's stairs, there will be a programme which includes a conference, a mass and a demonstration for Peace.

 

PROGRAMME

7 SEPT • 6:30PM • CONFERENCE

«Saint Anthony's Washing – Peace Festival»

By Aline Silva, member of Viva Madeleine Association
Museum of Lisbon – Saint Anthony 

 

8 SEPT • 5PM • MASS OF GRATITUDE FOR SAINT ANTHONY OF LISBON

Accompanied by the choir of Festival Cultural da Lavagem
Saint Anthony's Church

 

10 SEPT • 11:30AM – 2PM • PEACE MANIFESTATION

Parade from Rua do Terreiro do Trigo to Saint Anthony's Church
With the participation of Ala das Baianas, Ala dos Capoeiristas, Escola de Samba da Margem Sul and the groups Batalá, Maracatu Baque do Tejo, Maracatu Baque de Mulher and Oxalá.

 

10 SEPT • 2PM • SAINT ANTHONY'S WASHING

Simbolic washing of the staircase at the entrance of Saint Anthony's Church