St. John and the stylized “Quadrilhas”

The St. John basically arose from the Christian religious festivals, which take place in June. Honorees are religious: St. Peter, St. Anthony and St. John. In Caruaru, St. John is celebrated all month.

When it comes to St. John, comes in mind (besides the religious aspect) typical foods (like mush, canjica, corn, pé-de-moleque, but that's a topic for another post) colorful flags, campfire, balloons, music , forró, quadrilhas(It is a kind of a gang), xaxado, “coconut samba”, among other cultural events in the region. Anyway St. John is an event that brings together various representations of northeastern culture in a single month in the year.

Throughout the month of June there are several attractions in the city of Caruaru, especially in the Railway Station (called Estação Ferroviária) and Events Yard (called Pátio de Eventos) which hosts competitions Quadrilhas ranging from children presentation to the stylized adult and musical performances ranging from regional artists to big names in the music scene Brazilian.

The “Quadrilhas Estilizadas”

The gangs originated in Europe and were introduced in Brazil during the colonial period, with slow and uniform steps, which basically starts with the groom and the bride. Today brings Brazilian traits such as bass drum, the accordion and the triangle which together form the forró, the main musical style for presentations/ gang dances.

But over the years, the gangs have been changing in Caruaru and Campina Grande (dispute which city has the best Saint John) occurring events such as competitions of stylized gang, which is basically choreographed steps (with several months of testing), clothes quite shine and sometimes scenarios (usually there is a theme to be presented)

With much joy and energy, the dancers need to convince jurors that their group is the best and the winner is the people who are watching with a spectacle of colors, music and dance.

In the month of June is when we really feel proud to be the northeast, it is when we met families (almost as Christmas) to celebrate this feast that brings together since primitive aspects such as the corn harvest, the popular festivals that unites people of all ages towards a single goal, celebrate the happiness of being the northeast.

To watch a bit of competition just click the links below:

Reference

http://www.ebc.com.br/cultura/2013/06/quadrilhas-estilizadas-dao-toques-modernos-a-manifestacoes-tradicionais

http://www.bfp.uff.br/sites/default/files/servicos/documentos/festas_juninas_festas_de_sao_joao_origens_tradicoes_e_historia.pdf