São João traditional parade takes to the streets this Saturday

The Festas de São João are all over Porto these days to pay a tribute to Saint John the Baptist, the patron Saint of the city, in a celebration that mixes sacred and profane traditions.

On 22 June, the festivities include the "rusgas", which are the traditional parades in which inhabitants of the seven parishes in Porto march throughout the city dressed in a traditional costume and singing.

The parade will depart from Trindade and will march to General Humberto Delgado Square, where the groups parade before a panel of judges. Each parish must organise a parade with no less than 30 participants. However, this year, the parade includes the total number of 1.200 participants.

Each "rusga" will be awarded points according to traditional costume, choreography, props, singing and dancing.

Thousands of partygoers are expected to enjoy this traditional parade in the context of the celebration of São João, the Patron Saint of Porto.

Performance Calendar:

1 - Parish of Bonfim

2 - Union of the Parishes of Aldoar, Foz do Douro and Nevogilde

3 - Parish of Paranhos

4 - Parish of Ramalde

5- Union of Parishes of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau and Vitória

6 - Parish of Campanhã

7 - Union of the Parishes of Lordelo do Ouro and Massarelos

It is worth recollecting last year's "rusgas" in Porto: