318th Anniversary of Santa Bárbara, MG in 2022

In 2022, Santa Bárbara celebrated its 318 years of history with great emotion, reaffirming the pride of a people who preserve their traditions and value every chapter of their story. Located in the heart of the Serra do Caraça, the town became a stage for culture, faith and joy during the first weekend of December.

The program was carefully organized by the City Hall, through its Department of Culture, Tourism Development and Sports, and featured activities that delighted residents and visitors. Theater, Mass, a procession, tributes, the lighting of the Christmas lights and an unforgettable show by Péricles marked the anniversary of this three-hundred-year-old Minas Gerais town.

December 4, a municipal holiday, was the high point of the celebrations, bringing hundreds of people together in events that highlighted love for the town and the strength of its cultural identity.

Theater and the Opening of the Celebrations

The festivities began on Friday, December 2, with a moving theater performance at the Affonso Penna Memorial. The play told part of the life and career of Affonso Penna, Santa Bárbara's most illustrious son and the 6th President of Brazil.

The play delighted the audience by combining art and history, bringing to light the town's importance in the country's political and cultural scene. It was an evening of memories, reflection and pride that opened the celebrations of the municipality's 318 years in style.

Choosing the Affonso Penna Memorial as the opening venue symbolized the appreciation of local memory and the recognition of the personalities who contributed to the town's formation. Amid the historic setting and the festive mood, Santa Bárbara once again showed its deep connection with the roots of the Serra do Caraça, where tradition and culture meet in harmony.

The event marked the start of a weekend that would remain in the memory of everyone in Santa Bárbara.

Affonso Penna Medal of Merit: Tributes and Recognition

On Saturday, December 3, the traditional presentation of the Affonso Penna Medal of Merit, the highest honor awarded by the municipality, took place. The ceremony, held every year during the town's anniversary, aims to recognize people and institutions that have made a significant contribution to the development of Santa Bárbara.

This year, the honorees were Vágner Figueiredo Brandão (in memoriam), represented by his daughter Bárbara Brandão; Maria Izabel de Oliveira; and Grupo Avante, represented by its manager Noel Quites. Each received applause and words of gratitude for their work for the community.

The ceremony was marked by emotion and respect, reinforcing the importance of valuing those who devote time and effort to the common good. Public recognition of these careers strengthens the sense of belonging and the town's commitment to its own history.

To the sound of applause, the auditorium filled with pride — the same pride that has driven the people of the Serra do Caraça region for centuries, a symbol of perseverance and faith.

Sport, Faith and Tradition: A Sunday of Festivities

Sunday, December 4, dawned with the town in a festive, friendly mood. Early in the morning, the finals of the amateur and veterans' football championships were played at the main field, attracting fans and whole families. The matches were exciting and celebrated the strength of local sport, closing the season with plenty of emotion.

In the afternoon, the town paid a posthumous tribute to Affonso Augusto Moreira Penna, great-grandson of Affonso Penna, recalling his life and contributions to the community. The burial was attended with great respect and gratitude, uniting generations around the memory of the town's most illustrious family.

Also in the afternoon, the traditional procession in honor of Saint Barbara wound through the town's historic streets. The procession, which left from the Mother Church, was accompanied by the faithful, authorities and the Fire Department, in a moment of faith and devotion that strengthened the community's spiritual ties.

As evening fell, the public headed to the historic center, where new emotions awaited to close the day.

Christmas Lights and the Show by Péricles

When night fell, the historic center was taken over by the beauty of the Luzes de Natal de Santa Bárbara (Christmas Lights). The inauguration of the Christmas lighting delighted the public, turning the town into a spectacle of color, sparkle and magic. The illuminated façades and themed decorations reinforced the atmosphere of hope and unity that characterizes this time of year.

But the high point of the evening was the long-awaited show by Péricles, which closed the celebrations with plenty of samba, pagode and emotion. The singer got the crowd going with big hits such as Até que Durou, Livre pra Voar and Até o Sol Quis Ver, making the square sing along.

The show was a true celebration of joy, bringing generations together to the same rhythm. Péricles thanked the audience for their affection and highlighted the town's contagious energy, which pulsed from start to finish.

The celebrations of the 318 years showed once again that Santa Bárbara is one of the most charming destinations in the Serra do Caraça, combining culture, history and hospitality in an unforgettable celebration.