Azoreans have developed their own distinct regional identity and cultural traits, from a combination of continental Portuguese customs brought by various waves of immigration and local political and environmental factors.
Architecture is consistent with the raw materials on the island, mostly black lava rock and limestone, whitewashed and decorated with glazed tiles from both Flemish and Moorish influence.
Music and dance of the Azoreans culture is enjoyed by both men and women. Many of the men play the most common musical instrument, the viola, singing verses created on the spot. These verses sometimes are treated as a form of musical contest. The lyrical character of the people is reflected in the works of several well-known Azorean poets. Azorean writers are widely read in Portugal and by way of translation to the English speaking world as well.
There is a large variety of local cheeses, mostly made from cow's milk. Pineapple greenhouses are unique to the Azores. The island of São Miguel has more than 6,000 greenhouses. The local pineapple is different from any other. It has a small crown, an intense flavour and is grown year-round.
Main Festivals
Holy Ghost Festival
This festival celebrates the third person of the Godhead and is a day for some lucky poor person to be named Empress or Emperor for a day. The royalty is crowned and escorted through the streets to the local church where a Mass is said. The celebrants then move to the local fellowship hall where a special meal of ‘Holy Ghost Soup’ and sweet bread known as Pao Doce is served. The feast is followed by dancing and general merriment. These festivities are generally held seven weeks following Easter.
Sao Miguel
The largest religious festival in the Azores is the “Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres”, (meaning the Festival of the Christ of Miracles). This festival takes place on the 5th Sunday after Easter, in the city of Ponta Delgada. A statue of the Christ is paraded through the city, and then returned to the convent at Esperança. In addition to the religious aspects of the festivities, there are street booths, a fair, and general merrymaking.
Santa Maria
The Maré do Agosto Festival on Santa Maria, is one of the most famous festivities in the Azores. Many cultural activities, among which are concerts, take place on the small Praia Formosa. This festa is normally visited by well-known names from the national and international music world, attracting thousands of youngsters that during the days of August 23rd and August 26th, vibrate with joy and vivacity.
The largest festival in Santa Maria, with traditional and religious characteristics, takes place at Vila do Porto on August 15th in honor of it's patron saint, Our Lady of Assention.
Terceira
The festivals of Saint John is better known by the people of Terceiras as Sanjoaninas.This group of festival days occurs between June 21 and June 30 and is meant to honor the patron saint of the island of Terceira, Saint John. The festivities are based in the city of Angra do Heroisimo. Each day, triumphant marches, decorated cars, and parades rich in folklore and ethnic emphasis portray the joy and enthusiasm for living that is held by the people of the Azores.
The Danças de Carnival are groups of people who perform in comedy and dance routines at the thirty theatres on the island. Almost the entire population of the island fills the seating.
Sao Jorge
The Cultural Week of Velas is the most popular event on the island of Sao Jorge. This celebration takes place during the first week of July annually. Conferences and speeches from people who are well known in São Jorge and in the Azores in general go on during the entire week. There are concerts both by local artists and artists from the mainland. There is a bullfight festival and the Horta – Velas – Horta Regata which attracts dozens of boats.
In addition to these and other festivities which may be specific to one or more various islands, there are the usual religious and political holidays such as New Years Day, Easter, Christmas Day, National Day of Portugal, and Autonomy Day.
Pico
On Pico the festivals of São Roque do Pico take place in the last week of the month of June with musical concerts, cultural activities and exhibitions. These festivities attract thousands from Portugal and other parts of the world, during the last week of June. There are many musical concerts, exhibitions and other cultural activities.
Faial
The week of the Sea is held each year on Faial during August. Many sea-related festivities take place, and thousands of visitors from the Portuguese mainland arrive to take part in the musical and cultural activities. During Sea Week musicians from other islands and from mainland Portugal attend to participate in cultural events, pageants and other celebratory performances of the ethnic background and history of the people.
Flores
With a duration of two days with the start on the first Sunday in August, we have the Santa Cruz festival on Flores. During this festival there are many arches with flowers, decorating the streets and creating a marvellous atmosphere of colour and happiness. With the presence of crowns from the 27 Holy Ghost shrines in the island, it is considered the largest festival in the Azores in honor of the Holy Ghost.
The Folares Festival on Easter and the processions of Our Lord of the Paces, on Good Friday, are done with great enthusiasm by all parishes. It is joined with the Sanjoaninas Festival, in Santa Cruz, that attracts many outsiders and immigrants from other islands, but also form other parts of the world. The Lady of Flores Festival, which takes place in the Matos Chapel, is the most participated of all the island. Finally we have the Emigrant Festival in Lajes das Flores, which takes place on the second weekend of June.
