Flower torches mark procession

THE TRADITIONAL hallelujah festival, otherwise know as the flowered torch procession, organised by São Brás de Alportel and due to take place this Easter Sunday, is expected to attract hundreds of people to the streets. During the procession, the wooden framework used to carry statues is replaced with flowered candles, which are carried by men who shout: “He resurrected as promised! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” as they walk down roads covered in flowers. “It’s a procession in honour of Christ. Hundreds of tourists come to São Brás de Alportel for this day because it is such an old tradition,” a câmara spokesperson revealed. The event starts at 9.30am with the opening of the flowered streets and carries on until 4pm with live traditional Portuguese music and a celebration lunch at Igreja Matriz at 3.30pm.