Food and fun at Holy Ghost Festival

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 17, 2005 | by Barry Shatzman, STAFF WRITER

NEWARK

SHE SIMPLY wanted to feed the poor during a famine. By doing so, she not only started one the most important traditions to come from Portugal's Azores islands, but she helped feed people for centuries to come.

On Saturday, many from Newark's Portuguese community came to the Newark Pavilion for the city's 83rd annual Holy Ghost Festival. The festivities featured a Catholic Mass, Portuguese food such as linguica and bafanas (marinated steak in a Portuguese roll), and a parade. And a whole lot of sopa.

Though there are varying stories as to the origins of the Holy Ghost Festival, all involve Portugal's sixth queen, Isabel, taking to the streets to give bread to the masses during a famine in the 13th century.

In one of the more traditional versions, her husband, King Diniz, disapproved and sent guards out to harass her. But when they uncovered the basket she was using, they found it to be full of nothing but roses. It was this miracle, along with the queen's devout Catholic faith, that led to the tradition that Portuguese -- mostly those from the Azores -- observe each year.

A big part of the of the festival is the parade that follows the religious service.

"We have to go into the streets because the queen went into the streets," said, Newark Councilman Luis Freitas, the master of ceremonies.

Following the parade, everyone was served sopa -- a Portuguese soup made with bread and beef. As part of the tradition, there always is enough sopa to feed everyone who wants some.

To ensure there would be enough for this year's Newark festival, about 10 tons of beef and 3,000 loaves of bread went into the pots. Any of the soup left over after the event will go to feed the area's hungry.

Wearing traditional Portuguese attire, Nuno Silveira and his girlfriend, Vivalda Melo, said they met only seven months ago, yet both were born on the same island in the Azores.

Silveira said celebrations here are more elaborate than those in his native Azores, where participants dress simply and the parade is much more subdued. But that doesn't bother him as much as worrying that the traditions will die out.

Beyond the religious and historical aspects, the festivals also provide a way to stay in touch with old friends, he said.

At 27, Silveira is among a younger generation of Portuguese who find their cultural traditions competing for time with jobs and other social activities. In addition his job as a purchasing agent for a local company, Silveira also coaches soccer.

"It's part of our culture. ... As long as the tradition is being carried on, I'm fine with that," he said.

The festival will continue at 9:30 a.m. today, featuring a parade along Thornton Avenue from Cherry Street to St. Edwards Street.

Barry Shatzman can be reached at (510) 353-7003, or bshatzman@angnewspapers.com.